[Oe List ...] A Story

[Marilyn Crocker]

Jack, what an amazing moment of "wonder" such as is often possible in the
most unexpected places if one has the "eyes to behold" the care and joy that
is everywhere.  I think you have a unique ability to invite such moments.

Marilyn

-----Original Message-----
From: oe-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net
[mailto:oe-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Jack Gilles
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2013 3:03 PM
To: Order Ecumenical Community
Cc: Jon Gilles; Joshua Craver; Jennifer Frohlich; Patricia Webb; Cristy
Holden; Ravi Toshniwal
Subject: [Oe List ...] A Story

Dear Colleagues,

Thought you'd enjoy a story of a unique encounter from Friday night.

Judy and I were visiting Salvatore Caruso and Dianne Greenwald in Boulder
for a night after our stay in Denver. They took us to "Pearl Street", a
section of town that is just pedestrian with all sorts of places to eat,
street performers, fancy shops and just a great place to 'people watch'. The
three of sat on a bench while Salvatore found a parking place. Shortly an
older lady came and sat next to me. I said hi and we struck up a
conversation. Soon Salvatore joined us and I could tell by her accent she
was hispanic. She was from Mexico City, but had lived in the States for many
years. She asked us to guess how old she was, and she looked late 60's or
early 70's. She is 87 and what energy she had! She told us she takes hikes
in the hills and she really takes care of herself. Then she told us her name
is Magdalena and she was a concert pianist. Her kids are also musicians and
play in different parts of the country. She lives in a retirement community
in Boulder that had a pian  o in the lobby which was neglected so she gave
them her piano which she said was worth $200,000! We weren't sure if she was
telling the truth, but nearly was a street performer who regularly plays an
old honky tonk piano where he lays on a rock and plays for the crowd. 

We asked if she wanted to play and she said yes. So we took her over and
asked if he'd let her play. At first he said no, saying he often gets 'nuts'
who want to play, but after standing for awhile while he played he finally
got up and invited her to play. She got on the rock and then she started to
play. Although the piano was out of tune she proceeded to play an incredible
medley of fantastic songs; latin, jazz, and classical. It was absolutely
amazing! A crowd gathered and started to put money in his jar as she just
played and played. You could see her agile fingers fly across the keys. The
player just sat and let her play on, enjoying his break and loving what was
happening. After about 15 minutes she was done and everyone applauded. 

So life, through a chance encounter, produced for all a moment of mystery
and magic. Clearly a visit by an angel!

Grace & Peace,

Jack
_______________________________________________
OE mailing list
OE at lists.wedgeblade.net
http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net