My harp playing for patients in the hospital goes well. Yesterday, I sang for a woman who only speaks Spanish. Her daughter was with her and could translate.
The mother, Beatriz, had a large breathing mask over her face and I could not tell if she was enjoying the music or not. After I finished the first selection, Beatriz indicated something to her daughter. I was pretty sure that she would thank me for my time and ask me to leave. Surprisingly enough, she had asked for another song. I started to sing my new standard, "the sky is blue..." After a moment, I asked the daughter to translate the words for me.
I have never been comfortable speaking a foreign language, so we shortened the song to: "The sky is blue; my faith is strong." I sang the words: El cielo azul, mi fe es fuerte," I am sure to the amusement of all.
Beatriz indicated she had more to add. The words became "El cielo azul and infinito, Mi fe es fuerte. Dios esta dentro de mi, La fe de dios me proteje, which translates into "The sky is blue and infinite; my faith is strong; God is inside of me; my faith in God protects me."
It was a magical moment: the coming together of a desire expressed earlier that I wanted to learn something that I could sing to Spanish-speaking people and my desire to create some new songs that had more of focus on God, since faith seems strong here in the south.
Synchronistically, today's Daily Word email brought me the passage from Ecclesiastes 1:5 and the following text, which expresses the same sentiment that Beatriz expressed.
"On this day, when half of our planet experiences the longest day of the year and half experiences the shortest day, I celebrate the light of the sun. I am warmed by its rays, nurtured by its light, and awed by its colorful displays in the morning and evening sky. The sun's presence exemplifies the order of God's universe, which is as constant in me as it is in the heavens.
"God is the light that surrounds me, the love that enfolds me, the power that protects me, and the presence that watches over me.
"With gratitude, I celebrate the light of the sun that brings life to the planet and the light of God that brings life to me. I shine my light by being a presence for good in the world."
I turned the Biblical text "The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises" into a new chant.
I am enchanted with the timing.
