The gift of a song

On May 6, 2025, in the midst of a crowded, chaotic emergency waiting room, a mother suddenly broke out in song to calm her crying child.

As soon as she started singing, there was complete silence. Not only did the child stop crying, but the entire waiting room full of anxious people breathed a sigh in unison.

What unashamed bravery this woman had to sing out loud in front of strangers to ease her child’s suffering. I didn’t recognize the song, yet it was a breath of fresh air.

Her singing encouraged active-listening. Her voice let the room know that nothing mattered except the emotional well-being of her child.

For those exceptional moments, every person in that room forgot about their worries. They felt the capacity for compassion overcome whatever brought them into the emergency room in the first place.

Thank goodness for songs, and singing, and mothers who do what is best for their children.