Saturday January 8, 2011 was a sad day in Tucson and for the country. The massacre took place at the Safeway where my family shopped for many years. One of my fellow piano teachers and her husband were there when the shots rang out. Our Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and despite remarkable progress, still fights to recover. Nineteen others were wounded. Six people are dead including a nine year old girl and a Federal Judge.

Last year we sat, glued to our television, unable to truly comprehend the reality of what was unfolding. My friend Gretchen tweeted about her feelings of guilt for having been in rehearsals all day. My Son in Law found it hard to share our Granddaughter’s joy in playing in the snow for the first time.

One year later, our Gaby has made remarkable progress in her recovery. There was not a dry eye among those watching the news footage of her and husband Mark serving holiday dinners to military families. Her prime time interview with Diane Sawyer held the country spellbound. The role of music therapy in her recovery process is awesome. The families of the slain have begun the rest of their lives without their loved ones. The community has come together with vigils, runs, walks, concerts, and more to help in the healing process.

Shortly after the Columbine shootings, I had a piano recital scheduled. I remember how worried I was that I would not be able to play my Mozart- the Sonata in A K. 331. It just seemed so wrong to be performing a piece full of so much joy. Funny, how I didn’t have any such concerns about the Liszt, Prokofiev, or Scriabin on the program.

Well, I did perform it, and somehow it was one of the best performances of my life. I think what I learned that night was that taking delight in life is a policy that also honors victims of tragedy.

This weekend the community came together to honor the victims of January 8th, as well as, to celebrate the fact that this trajedy reminded us all to make it a policy to delight in life. Some participated in vigils, some came together to pray, some again left cards, flowers and tokens at the scene, some created alliances against violence, some organized runs, hikes, concerts, yoga, and bike events. Some even played & taught Mozart, Liszt, Bach, et al, arranged South American songs for elementary students, and blogged.

What’s your policy?

Parts of the above were originally published in the post, Delighting in Mozart, January 9, 2011.

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