This is an English translation of an article to appear in Nikkan San on April 18, 2021. It is a part of bi-weekly my column, “The Way of the Pianist.”
Here in SoCal, the vaccination rollout is going smoothly. Businesses and schools are gradually transitioning to full re-opening. LA Phil has announced their concert schedule starting this summer.
“It’s been so long. Let’s get together!”
After well over a dozen months, many of my friends have gone through major milestones in their lives. While many of those are celebratory, like graduations, new jobs, weddings, others have experienced passing of their loved ones, changes in their own health status, or transitions in their relationships. Even with those I’ve been in contact with me through texts and calls, physically sharing time and space, breathing the same air, sharing meals and laughter rejuvenates our friendships.
In Japanese, the word for human is spelled as “the space in between a person and another person.” That rings true as we rejoice in our reunion.
“But I feel like I have been with you all throughout these months, because I was always listening to your CDs!”
My friend’s words struck me. To me, my CDs had been recorded years ago. But maybe recorded music can be like Mom’s cooking in the freezer. Defrosting and eating it brings back not just memories, but her love. That realization really moved me. It also renewed my resolved to be the best musician that I can be at all times.
From time to time, old friends, indirect acquaintances, or even passersby mention that they have attended my concerts, watched my videos or read my writing. In the last few weeks, these serendipitous encounters happened more often than usual. During this pandemic, sometimes it felt pointless to continue with my practice. But these encounters encourage, and inspire me to keep on going.
The number of COVID patients are rising in other States and countries. There are yet many unknowns, especially about the new strains. We are not out of the woods yet. But we have enough evidence to suggest that we can now look forward to the end of this pandemic. Until then, for a while longer, let’s each day thinking that what we produce today may mean something to someone years from now. It may help create a better future. So again today, I write these words down and send them off.
