“What Better Purpose for Music than as a Gentle Rekindling of Emotions so Long Ago Experienced and so Deeply Enjoyed?” \tI am indeed a Musician. I relate these five true stories with the knowledge that Music possesses the absolute power to comfort the soul. For me, this epiphany struck in the last year of my parents’ lives. My Father suffered from all variety of physical ailments, my Mother from the mental ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. Struggling against all odds to remain together in life, they found solace in “ the gentle rekindling of emotions so long ago experienced and so deeply felt.” With the relentless and unavoidable pursuit by age and disease, memories disappeared quickly. But the emotions of Music never died. What I couldn’t have predicted was their reliance on my own Music. 24 hours-a-day. 7 days-a-week. It gave them comfort. Until no more time remained. \tAs anyone who has lost both parents will confide, you suddenly feel like an orphan. The pain of loss may fade, but two large holes remain in your heart forever. How do we who remain attempt to fill those crevices? My own revelation surfaced with a simple question. “What better purpose for Music?” That’s when I decided to share my gift of Music with people who needed it the most. People like my parents. I found them in senior citizen communities, memory care facilities, nursing homes, and homeless shelters. Desperate for momentary escape from loneliness. Hungry for the soulful comfort that only Music can offer. Truly, I have received far more than I have given of myself. I know you’ll understand this ultimate truth as you hear the stories I’m about to share with you.