Unexpected grace….

and moments that touch us.

Winter Oil/cold wax on paper a schneider

Light Grace

I have a friend from High School

that I remember, but really

never knew well. Over the years he

has sent me bits and pieces

of grace that come when I least expect them and when I need them

the most. Today I accidentally opened messenger on my computer and

The Frankfurt Symphony came up with a piece of music that I don’t

believe I’ve ever heard played this way. It brought me to that feeling of the

heart swelling up and tears of love and peace softening the eyes.

Gustav Holst, Jupiter, written in 1914 as part of his Planets Suite

began playing. I listened to it for a long time and simply didn’t

want to stop. I have a great love of the cello and other string

instruments because of my grandchildren and this was magnificent

to me. I have never listened to a piece of music before that I

could still hear when I stopped listening. I say that knowing it

sounds impossible and I am curious if this happens to other people.

This same friend sent me the most beautiful touching piece of

prose when I found myself suddenly alone.

“From this day forth,

alas/ The dew drops shall wash away/ The letters on my hat/ Saying

‘A party of two.’“ …Matsuo Basho .

I think of this often and it

has strengthened my belief in how much small moments of giving do

to help each of us. It is the reaching out, the supreme reaching

out of the heart when it is least expected. Thank you to my old

friend, the one I didn’t even know was there all of those past

years. He doesn’t know how much his small touches of grace have

enriched me.

Frankfurt Symphony