Music is the shorthand of emotion.

     – Leo Tolstoy

The first time I heard live music post-pandemic, I was surprised to find tears welling up in my eyes. And the second time, and the third… at this point it seems to be a lasting condition.

Sometimes it’s hard to take in the bigness of the world, its joys and wonders and sorrows and pains. It can be easier to tiptoe past, to keep a little distance, to box it all up for another day.

Music doesn’t care if we’re glancing awkwardly away from our own lives. The wistful chorus is every lost moment. The soaring melody is every great love. The zinging finale is every jubilant victory. 

Thank goodness for these shortcuts,

bringing us home to ourselves.