Thursday, May 17, 2012

Music is Awesome. And Sometimes People Are Too

You probably haven't noticed, but I tend to be a cynic. Maybe it's because I live in a pretty densely populated part of the country and work in a city where the people are packed in like rats. I mean, your chances of running into one or twenty douchebags on a regular basis increases exponentially with that many people running around, right?


That being said, every once in a while, I come across someone or something that makes me wipe the cynicism from my eyes and really look around and suddenly my faith in humanity is restored.

I honestly don't remember how I stumbled upon this video but I'm assuming I saw it on Reddit, since I spend an appalling amount of time lurking over there.

It's a beautiful video. It might have made me cry a little. An 8 year old blind autistic boy is captivated with the music of a street busker.

I honestly don't know who is more awesome in this video - the young boy, the musician or the parents. Probably all of them. I have to admit, the moment that the mom asked if the kid could touch his guitar and the musician nodded enthusiastically kind of clinched it for me.



As most of you know, music plays a huge part in my life and I love how it brings together random strangers in this video, especially the child. I can't imagine what it's like having children, much less a child with autism. I hear so many stories of kids with autism who are unable to communicate outside of themselves. My heart goes out to the strong families who have autistic children.

By the way, the musician in this video is Tyler Gregory from Kansas. You can read his wonderful response to this video on his blog. He sounds like a really amazing, kind guy. We need more people like him.

I also strongly suggest you check out his music. He's very good and I really enjoyed listening to his songs.

God, all this sappiness is hurting my eyes. They keep tearing up every time I watch that video. Don't worry, I promise we'll be returning to our usual grumpy, snarky selves soon enough. Until then... Be safe.

15 comments:

  1. I love how mid-way-ish you can see the mom asking him if it's ok for her child to touch and the guy gives her the ok & chin nod/thumbs-up - not sure why but that small compassionate exchange really did me in. Most people suck but some people are awesome and it's great then the awesome people come together and someone catches it on video.

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  2. thanks jj for posting this. i teared up a bit too. what an amazing moment they all just shared. its nice to be reminded that we are not surrounded by assholes and there are a lot of good people in the world doing great things, small things that mean so much and touch us all.

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  3. I had to share this on my FB page. Fucking awesomesauce!!!

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  4. This is the second time I watched this and I am weeping AGAIN. So beautiful.

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  5. I betcha those parents went and bought their son a guitar right away. It's amazig how he reacts to it and alternates between moving to the music and feeling the music by thouching the guitar. Music IS awesome,

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  6. Beautiful. So nice to see the world isn't completely made up of total douchebags.

    Speaking of douchebags, does it look like that mother doesn't love her child enough, Tony Humphries? Asshole.

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  7. Cut that out, I don't do kindness and happiness. Ick. Crap, my eyeballs are leaking...

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  8. Ditto to all the above comments. By the grace of God go I.

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  9. All of the girlie tears right now. Thanks for posting.

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  10. What blog am I reading? Health advice and humanity?

    (I love it!)

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  11. That song always reminds me of "Twilight Zone: The Movie"

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  12. That was really lovely. Thanks for that Jenny. Really sweet. x

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  13. I've been working with Deaf-Blind adults for the past 6 months or so, and this made me think of a couple of my new friends. They love guitars because they can feel the different vibrations for each note, even though they have no idea what that means from a hearing point of reference. It's humbling and inspiring as a music lover.

    I'm dripping salt water thinking of how amazing this kid, that man, and those parents are for bridging gaps that most people avoid.

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  14. Music bridges so many gaps. I am forever grateful to all who understand that.

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