We are magnificent, spiritual bodies of energy, composed of light and sound.

I was visiting Disney World (one of my favorite places), waiting for the Millennium
parade to start in Epcot. I sat down on the ground to secure a viewing spot and found
myself next to a mentally challenged teen in a wheelchair. I had seen him the day
before. He stared straight ahead, his lower lip puffed out as if he were in a perpetual
state of pouting. His eyes looked dull and uninvolved, and he did not seem to respond
to anything or anyone around him. He was being attended to by a young man who bore
a strong resemblance to him. His love, devotion, and caring nature struck me as
something very special.

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     As we waited for the parade to begin, my wheelchair bound friend maintained the
same state as the day before. I suddenly felt an inner desire to communicate with him,
and he turned his head towards me and made eye contact. I smiled. He turned away,
but I could see that his eyes had become animated. A few moments later, he sheepishly
turned again to look into my eyes. I smiled again. He turned away. The third time he
turned towards me, I smiled, and he held my gaze and smiled back. Over the next
several minutes, he would turn towards me, watch me smile, smile in return, and then
turn away. I realized that he had realized that if he looked at me, I would smile. He was
now in control of a situation, and he liked it. He played the game a few more times and
then reverted to staring straight ahead. About this time, we were joined by another boy
in a wheelchair with Down syndrome. He was very animated and highly vocal. He
captured my new friend's interest. He studied him closely but did not respond in any
outward fashion.

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     Within a short time, strains of music could be heard as the parade drew closer to where we were. The beat of the music was very distinct and inviting. My friend continued to stare blankly ahead, but his fingers began to move slowly to the beat of the music. Gradually, his movements grew increasingly energetic. Then a light sprang into his eyes. He looked at me and smiled, as if seeking approval. I returned the smile, and he kept his fingers moving to the rhythm. The boy next to him was affected in much the same way, and his fingers began to dance. The two wheelchair buddies looked at each other, grinned, and began moving their fingers in harmony.

     I was filled with wonder and awed by the magical ability that uplifting music has
to touch and unite all souls, regardless of any physical or mental limitations we may
seem to have. Music lifts us out of our apparent state and into the realization of our true
selves – magnificent, spiritual bodies of energy, composed of light and sound.

  

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