I’d like to think that we are an open-minded society, accepting of those who may appear to be different than us. Recent political events may have some people feeling otherwise, but I have hope that the majority of people view others, regardless of gender, race, religion, or life circumstances with empathy and compassion.
We may not understand the paths that others have walked or what has brought them to their current place in life, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t step outside of ourselves and view things from another perspective. We will never fully know someone else’s experience or why they made certain choices, but we can take steps to be accepting, kind, and respectful. This especially applies to folks who may be in a difficult situation. Maybe they were put there by bad choices, or maybe it was purely the result of circumstance, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have hope that things will get better for them, in one way or another.
It may seem like an odd thing that it would be a group of senior citizens that reached out to inmates of the Hampshire County Jail, but it isn’t that surprising when you think about it. Someone who is 80-years-old is likely to have met many people from all walks of life. They will have had a lifetime of experiences that younger folks may not comprehend and this may have given them a greater sense of compassion.
The Young@Heart Chorus is based in western Massachusetts, and the performers range in ages from 73 to 91. Directed by Bob Cilman, they perform in a variety of venues, but this performance of “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan was particularly touching. That day, their music touched hearts and brought tears. For a little while, it seemed like everyone, regardless of their place in life, was on a hopeful footing.
Watch the live performance below and if it touched your heart, then don’t for to like and share the post with family and friends.
