I was giving a ride to someone. As our conversation unfolded, we delved into the current state of the world. She shared with me she was a psychic, an Akashic Record reader, and an avid student of the Book of Revelation for her Bible study group. In contrast, I confessed my reluctance to peek into the Akashi and uncover my future. Our discourse meandered through the realms of free will, punctuated by my childhood lucid dreams – one of which eerily foretold my brother’s demise, leaving me in a state of disquiet about the unknown. I mentioned each day, as I set out for work, the thought lingers that it might be my last. I ponder hypothetical changes, questioning if I would shower more love upon my son or engage in different pursuits. It seems like a part of me thinks I will live forever and get to relive and redo everything sometime in the future. Could I have altered the course of events after dreaming of my brother’s fate? Regrettably, I missed the chance to spend more time with him while he was alive.

In the midst of this candid exchange, she posed an unexpected question: Did my brother play a musical instrument? The answer was negative. Yet, she pressed on – did he love music? Absolutely. My mind painted a vivid picture of my brother, an ardent attendee of local Philharmonics, the Opera House, and various theaters. He even graced the stage as part of a dance troupe, where my mom shared a dance with him on several occasions.

“I think your brother is here,” she declared. “He’s around you. I’m not attempting to channel a medium, but I sense a presence around you.”

My thoughts then turned to my resilient parents. Overcoming the profound grief of losing my brother proved an arduous journey for them. Even in the face of ongoing war, they attend musical performances a few times a month, a tribute to my brother’s memory. They refuse to let external hardships diminish their joy. In honoring death, they have discovered the art of living to the fullest. These timeless musical pieces, they believe, are a celebration of life. So, turn up the volume and savor the melodies.  I was truly moved by the beauty of the sound, decorations, and overall vibe of the audience in my hometown’s Opera House.