The Duet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI-l0tK8Ok0

The above is a link to a couple at Mayo Clinic playing a duet. I cannot imagine anyone not loving it. When I was younger, much, much, younger, I imagined myself connected to someone in this way for all my life. I made a couple of mistakes. The first and biggest was marrying someone who did not play any musical instrument at all, let alone piano. Oh well, live and learn. It wasn't the only mistake I 've ever made.

I love music, but so often the music I love I cannot listen to. Music speaks to me the way old photos, or diaries speak to other people. It draws my feelings in bas relief and brings them to the surface like a time machine in perfect working order. Way too poignant sometimes.

By the time I can play it again, I know that I have truly moved on to a different way of thinking and being, so music is also the gauge by which I measure my growth. Those tunes I enjoy the most then speak to me of the breadth and depth of a life lived, if a bit dramatically, at least also reasonably fully.

I cannot imagine life without music and while it is hard for me to play for others, it is impossible not to play for myself. If I had one piece of advice for younger folks, it would be learn to love yourself and what you do, because of all the people you will love and be with, you are the one you will spend the most time with. Besides, you will know your own flaws better than anyone else, so if you can love yourself, you can probably love anyone to some extent.

But this couple learned that life can be a great duet, so go listen to them now! It's short, slightly more than a minute and life is too short not to watch it and enjoy!