In 2011, Laurent had the opportunity to sing with Michael Ballam at the Brain Injury Alliance of Utah's Families and Professionals Conference as the focus of the keynote was on the healing power of music. For Laurent, it was an incredible experience. Interestingly, though, when the story came out in the newspaper, some people began to contact him where he works at Day Murray Music. One woman spoke to him to tell him about her son, who had recently been in a motorcycle accident as well and was currently in the hospital with a brain injury. In talking about the experience later that night, Laurent and I decided to go visit the young man in the hospital.
On our way up to Intermountain Medical Center, Laurent happened to mention how tired he was of being brain injured. It was completely understandable, as it had been 13 years of dealing with memory issues, speech problems, challenges with problem solving and thinking, fatigue, as well as the medications to prevent seizures. We talked about it for a little bit and agreed that sometimes, one just feels tired of chronic conditions like this.
However, once we went inside the hospital, he forgot about his own problems as he began to meet with the family, visit, and even sing with them. They were so surprised we had stopped in, but it was such a lovely evening spending time with them. On our way back out to the car, Laurent turned to me and remarked, "That is the key to be feeling brain injured" and flashed his famously big smile. Though his own brain injury had not gone away, his focus on his own problems had temporary faded away. Instead, by helping someone else, he felt rejuvenated and ready to continue on. There is a saying that points out " When you dig another out of their troubles, you find a place to bury your own. " The joy we feel when we serve is definitely one aspect of thriving. Since that time, Laurent has had many additional opportunities to serve and they continue to buoy him up and help him feel a purpose in life.
Incidentally, this post is late for yesterday, because we were both feeling the joy of service. Laurent attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir weekly rehearsal, and I play for the Riverton Jazz Band, which is a volunteer organization bringing the strains of Big Band Music to the community. We also had the opportunity to spend time with friends, which also contributes to our quality of life.
So Day 9's challenge is ˜"Let me do all the good I can, to all the people I can, as often as I can, for I shall not pass this way again." ˜~ John Wesley
On our way up to Intermountain Medical Center, Laurent happened to mention how tired he was of being brain injured. It was completely understandable, as it had been 13 years of dealing with memory issues, speech problems, challenges with problem solving and thinking, fatigue, as well as the medications to prevent seizures. We talked about it for a little bit and agreed that sometimes, one just feels tired of chronic conditions like this.
However, once we went inside the hospital, he forgot about his own problems as he began to meet with the family, visit, and even sing with them. They were so surprised we had stopped in, but it was such a lovely evening spending time with them. On our way back out to the car, Laurent turned to me and remarked, "That is the key to be feeling brain injured" and flashed his famously big smile. Though his own brain injury had not gone away, his focus on his own problems had temporary faded away. Instead, by helping someone else, he felt rejuvenated and ready to continue on. There is a saying that points out " When you dig another out of their troubles, you find a place to bury your own. " The joy we feel when we serve is definitely one aspect of thriving. Since that time, Laurent has had many additional opportunities to serve and they continue to buoy him up and help him feel a purpose in life.
Incidentally, this post is late for yesterday, because we were both feeling the joy of service. Laurent attended the Mormon Tabernacle Choir weekly rehearsal, and I play for the Riverton Jazz Band, which is a volunteer organization bringing the strains of Big Band Music to the community. We also had the opportunity to spend time with friends, which also contributes to our quality of life.
So Day 9's challenge is ˜"Let me do all the good I can, to all the people I can, as often as I can, for I shall not pass this way again." ˜~ John Wesley