SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — In these deeply reflective times, we look for comfort.
There is a musician who gives comfort with his deeply reflective music. He pushes his breath into his instrument and his fingers find a melody. But also, something else is there as you shall see.
As the world cries from the COVID-19 virus, the tune from a bagpiper cries a different tune. A prayer.
A one-man concert tugs at heartstrings. Bagpiper David Land is in a band, but social distancing keeps bandsmen apart. So David Land rehearses alone. Still, his solo performance draws an audience, even from a distance.
Yes, COVID-19 keeps us apart. But the music sails high and wide, connecting all hear it.
A soothing sound lifting from a Shaker Heights parking lot. I get the idea David Land is in prayer, asking for worldwide comfort the virus is cruel. But listen closely. I get the feeling in this suffering time, Land is really quoting Scriptures. That part about making "a joyful noise" in praise and prayer.
In ancient times, Scottish Highlanders used the bagpipe's whine to signal other battlefield warriors. The pipes sang prayerful inspiration to continue the fight.
A story we need today. Prayerful sounds caught in the breeze. A pipers' tune, encouraging us to continue standing apart in social distance while at the same time encouraging us to stand united; a single force fighting a common enemy.
From Shaker Heights, David Land's bagpipe call rides the wind, falling on distant ears its notes of inspiration.
But in the same air are television signals pulsing with pictures and sounds which reach beyond the wind and tug at our emotions. The story of a single piper sending inspirations imploring us to continue the fight right now, and where we are.