the Life Changing power of music

Who doesn’t like to hear a song they love? As a mother with three young daughters, I embarrass them from time to time. I think that is part of our duty and privilege, but needless to say, they cringe. These moments of sheer mortification include (but are not limited to,) wearing garishly bright clothing, having pink hair, dropping them off at school in my zebra-print fleece onesie, and singing out loud or dancing like a loon when I hear my favourite music on a grocery store. Music – often these moments are linked to music. In fact, they almost always have a soundtrack of some sort. I hold music so deeply within me that I almost esteem it as highly as the freedom to breathe. It plays constantly in my home, in my car, in my soul. I love to sing, to play, to dance, and to pray with music. And when I hear music, I can’t help but respond to it. And I am just one of millions of people who feel this way. That wouldn’t change if I were homeless. And that is where Babu* comes into this little story. Babu LOVES Diana Ross and the Supremes. Babu LOVES to dance. Babu knows every lyric to every Aretha Franklin song. Babu lives on the streets and doesn’t get to hear music – not his music – very often at all. Babu is also a friend who visits our Life Boat. We offer support to guys who live like Babu, on the streets, with very little hope, with very cold feet. They love the shoes, the blankets, and food they receive. Many come every day to earn vouchers to spend in our voucher exchange store. Many come all day to work and have a safe place with warm tea and kind conversation. Babu, well, he comes for our little donated speaker and the music it plays. The tea and sandwich is often an afterthought. You see, when we say, “Be the family,” we mean it. Because my daughters will also (even if it is embarrassing,) sing along with me when Bohemian Rhapsody plays – harmonising to the “Mama mia, mama mia, Figaro…” or they will cheer loudly when I get to sing Pink Pony Club on stage with a friend. So, our lovely staff at Life Boat, on the days that Babu comes to visit, find his music and play it for him. They’re being family.  And Babu dances. He laughs. He sings along. He looks a little silly. It’s the best. It brings everyone there such joy to see their friend having the momentary release of his music. The escapism is contagious, and often his friends sing along too, or join him to dance. A donated speaker becomes a live concert. A tiny rectangle of concrete in the middle of town becomes his dance floor. A thoughtful staff member who knows how to work Spotify becomes his favourite DJ. And Babu gets to enjoy the euphoric moment of music for a few hours. We don’t just offer a meal at Life Boat

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a0e8dd_3f1ca9b43e0843f798444846614d064d/480p/mp4/file.mp4

we offer a time to be reminded of your soul, of what brings you joy and what makes you dance. Even my daughters would agree that this is pretty great.  ;