JACK: A LESSON IN KINDNESS

By Peter Vuono

  The last course that I had to take  for my Master's Degree in 1983 was Music Theory offered by Dr. Jacob Liberles  at Bridgewater State College. I liked Dr. Liberles but he certainly knew how to make us work. We had to study classical music for hours. At the final, we'd listen to a piece and give the name of the author, title of the piece and WHERE EXACTLY in the piece we were listening. For example; Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" has, of course, 4 sections which are segmented into three parts per season. We had to name the title, author and which segment we were listening to.

  As if that weren't enough, Dr. Liberles had us perform a song on the piano EACH WEEK! He never asked us if we could read music or had a piano. We just had to do it! I was a bit dyslexic with reading music. I could do it, but I was slow. Ergo, I learned every song by ear. Even Dr. Liberles was surprised that I learned this way. In my final, however, I forgot the notes at about 85% finished. I was dejected but Dr. Liberles allowed me to retake the piano exam. This is where Jack comes in.

  Jack was a very husky, red headed baseball player from my hometown in Quincy. He probably could have played football but he was super easy going and friendly. During my re-take, Jack sat quietly awaiting HIS turn on the piano. I nailed it! While walking away, Jack displayed the "OK" gesture and whispered,"That was perfect!" I wasn't used to getting accolades from anyone at home and his comments have joyfully stuck with me my whole life. I never got to thank him. The philosopher Lao Tzu once said that,"Music in the soul is heard by the universe". How ironic it was that after making music, a friend would implant it in MY soul.

   One day, I will be gone, Jack will be gone and everyone that he and I know will be gone. However the beauty of that moment is this; God is eternal as is HIS memory. Every kind word made by Jack, me and all of humanity is tabulated and will greatly pay forward in the enormous dividend of everlasting happiness.What a wonderful thing that is for Jack, for me for, you and all humanity.

"There are three ways in which we should treat others; the first is to be kind, the 2nd is to be kind and the 3rd is to be kind"- Mother Teresa