Violet rarely spoke. When she did it was in a hushed voice. She thought no one would understand her. Sadly she came into this world without the gift of hearing. At six years of age, she had no friends and was schooled by her loving Mother at home. She read books, played games and watched children’s television but she rarely showed emotion.
One afternoon she was walking hand in hand with her Mum through a crowded underground station. Violet suddenly stopped. Her Mother signed to her to keep moving, she didn’t want to miss the train. But Violet stood firm. She pointed to a tunnel leading off to the right, then tapped her ear. Then she tugged as hard as she could. Normally Mum could read Violet’s thoughts through her expressions and gestures, but just then she had no idea what was racing through her daughter’s mind.
Violet dragged her Mother as quickly as she could, weaving this way and that through the crowded tunnel. They turned a corner and a busker came into view; a flaxen-haired girl in a flowing dress playing a sweet melody on her violin. Violet dropped to the floor and sat cross-legged in front of her. They locked eyes as the notes flowed from the instrument. Then Violet turned to her Mother and smiled. She rarely smiled.
Nobody was able to explain why she was able to hear the violin that day, or if in fact, she had. Perhaps she felt it, sensed it. Whatever it was, her life changed from that day forward.
Several years have since passed, and she’s now at university and one of the most popular girls in her year. Tonight she is to lead the Festival Orchestra in their performance of Bruch’s Violin Concerto, and the proudest member of the audience will be her Mother. Violet won’t hear the rapturous applause she is certain to receive, but she will relish it just the same.
Bruch Violin Concerto played by Nicola Benedetti who as a teenager won the BBC Young Musician Award
Tomorrow –
Previously A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
In 2018 – My Friend Rosey became a Vegetarian
In 2017 – In Amble Bay, we visited Lady V!
Delightfully read,Keith. And I’m not nust saying that cuz her name is Violet..
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I’d like to say I named her after you but that would be e fib! Thanks for reading so soon after posting that the ink was barely dry!
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That’s amazing. Is it true?
http://www.findingeliza.com
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Pure fiction Kristin! Cheers.
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Awww, sometimes amazing things happen.
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Indeed they do Mimi.
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Awwww, this is beautiful 🙂
The Multicolored Diary
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Thanks so much
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Years ago I saw Dame Evelyn Glennie with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She has been deaf since she was twelve. Her performance was amazing. Your story brought back fond memories.
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Evelyn Glennie is playing locally next month and I may just get myself a ticket. She was actually the inspiration for my story.
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Keith,
What a lovely story! It makes me think of Mandy Harvey, a deaf singer/mewsician on America’s Got Talent a few years ago. Her ability absolutely stunned me. Heck, I can hear and can’t carry a tune. This gal loses her hearing and finds a way to keep the mewsic alive. Thanks for visiting this morning!
A2Z Little Mermaid art sketch series ‘Vanessa’
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You are the second to mention this and I can’t think why I wasn’t aware of it. Hopefully she’ll be on YouTube. Cheers Cathy.
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Personally, I’d like to say what an absolutely wonderful interpretation on what happened that day to that young lady. Oh joy, that she should get the gift of music from the Lord. Now I’m assuming that she is the girl playing the violin in the video. Such God given talent that young lady has. Now I have seen a young lady who does the same and she lost her hearing as a young girl so she has the knowledge of hearing just lost the gift. She audition for America’s got talent and stood on the stage with her shoes off as a keyboard, guitarist and a drummer backed up her violin music plus she also sang beautifully I might add. She had her shoes off she said because that’s how she heard the music is what she acknowledged and the music she shared besides her violin was her magnificent voice. Have a nice day my friend. I may go fly with you later. How lovely to know I have countries waiting for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re duh best! hugs have a great day!!!
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Thanks so much for your comment. Violet’s not, in fact, the girl in the video, but it’s she who partly inspired the story having played the violin from a very young age. Being an avid AGT fan, despite being in the UK, I really should remember the barefoot girl. I’ll look her up on YouTube. Happy travelling albeit through my pictures, and thanks again.
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Such a nice story, I love it! And music can change life, I agree!
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It can indeed. Thanks so much.
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Music is always mysterious! Gentle and beautiful, this story is just like Violet!
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Thanks so much for your kind words.
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That’s a lovely story! It kind of reminds me of how The Who’s famous Tommy Walker experiences everything, music included, as beautiful vibrations. A Deaf person with a musical gift and calling is just as capable of a hearing person of creating music, just as a talented blind person can create beautiful art.
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I’d forgotten about Tommy! I totally agree with you regarding disabilities not being a barrier to creativity. Thanks so much for reading my tale Carrie-Anne
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Such a beautiful story. So glad that she found music and it engulfed her in its magical powers!
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Thanks so much Shilpa. Music is indeed magical.
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This is magical!
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Wow, thank you Sascha!
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🙂
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*Clap, clap, clap*. Beautiful story. This might be my favorite so far. But then, each time I think I have a favorite, along comes another one.
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That’s so nice of you Trudy. This one is completely different being a story about a child rather than a tale for childfen. Tomorrow’s couldn’t be more different!
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Such a lovely story with a marvelous ending that has this young girl smiling. We never quite appreciate what we have until we lose it or meet someone who never had what we so easily take for granted. It is nice to be reminded this way.
htto://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com Thanks for visiting my site, Keith!
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There are so many stories out there of people who have triumphed over adversity. We really should appreciate what we have. Thanks once again Gail.
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Hi Keith – Evelyn Glennie is quite extraordinary isn’t she … I heard her in Hamburg with a deaf friend and her husband … the abilities we have when we lose or never had one of them … delightful story – cheers Hilary
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She must be an inspiration to many. That must have been quite an experience. Thanks Hilary
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