Rome, Italy (late August, 2000)

Anne was still in bed when I set off to explore Rome in the early morning.  My walk took me to an unassuming small church.  It was not magnificent like St. Peter’s but its impact on me was no less astounding.  The church was all mine as I studied the paintings in the sanctuary (one of them the smaller work of Michelangelo).  I sat in one of the pews enjoying the solitude and the scene before me: the early morning light coming in to radiate not just the beautiful, stained glass windows but also illuminating the cross above the sanctuary.  And then, as if on cue,  the organ pipes above me began playing music that lifted my soul to the heights.  It was a time of refreshment for my soul.

I thought perhaps that this heavenly music was pre-programmed into the organ to play every morning at that exact time.  But as I slowly made my way to the back where the organ sat, I was in for a pleasant shock.  At the organ was an elderly Asian nun.  She looked to be in her 80′s and no taller than 5 feet.  From those frail, little hands came the most moving music I have heard in a long time.  The towering, metal pipes were a stark contrast to her small, fragile frame.  But it was clear who was in command.  The inner passion inside this humble nun was released as she played one majestic piece after another.

“The key to life: give to the world with all your giftedness, passion and compassion.” -Scott Robert Lim