A Promise To Joshua Bell
In the evening of Nov 2, Kati and I were standing at the entrance of Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill, waiting for the doors to open. Kati, at age 12, was one of the youngest among the hundreds of people.
She was looking around with amazement. “I had no idea Joshua Bell has so many fans!”
A gentleman standing in front of us turned around.
“Are you a fan of Joshua Bell? he asked her.
“Yes!” Kati answered.
” Would you like a T-shirt and an autographed picture of him?”
“Yes, of course! she exclaimed.
The man, one of the violinist’s promoters opened a bag and started handing out his gifts to Kati. We couldn’t believe our luck, getting these items for free, then seeing them lined up for sale on the table by the wall.
After the concert Joshua Bell appeared in the foyer to sign his CDs. Kati desperately wanted to meet him and begged me to buy a CD, but I did not have any cash with me.
“Let’s just get in line toward the end, and maybe he will still shake your hand,” I proposed.
Just before we got to his table, Kati opened her purse and pulled out her harmonica. When it was our tun, he shook our hands with a warm, radiant smile.
Kati placed the the plastic case with the harmonica in it in front of the musician.
“What’s this?” he looked up with an incredulous look on his face.
“It’s a harmonica!” she declared.
“I think she would like you to sign the case,” I added.
After a moment of hesitation he signed it. When he was done, he slid the harmonica toward us. Kati took a step back, straightened her body, lifted her chin up and looked down with pride. “It is a great honor to have met you!” she said to him. Surprised by the force of her presence, Joshua Bell lifted his gaze to meet hers, and I suddenly saw a new light in his eyes. “What’s your name? he asked the child standing in front of her idol with absolutely no fear and reservation. He was now looking at Kati with a deep understanding. He recognized it! He saw her shining soul that is ever ready to share all that she is, with everyone she meets, including Joshua Bell. He saw himself in Kati’s eyes and Kati saw herself in his.
“Next Fall I will start taking violin lessons in school!” Kati declared.
“It will be a lot better than this,” he smiled, and handed the harmonica back to Kati.
