all listening to the same songs

I am sitting in a beautiful lounge area of MD Anderson called The Park. When i first got here an hour ago, there were just a hand-full of people. It's a big space, so everyone is spread out in their own little areas. There are 3 large marble-lined islands with palm trees reaching up to the sky-lights and it has the feel of a large fancy hotel. The chairs are comfy and i've got a nice spot to plug in my computer. I just discovered this place today by accident, as i was looking for somewhere else ( the place with the free coffee).

As lunchtime approached, more and more people start coming around. All the sudden, it is bustling and nary a seat is available. This seems to be where the staff comes to eat, but its also comfortable enough that folks like me set up camp and stay awhile ( i ended up staying for almost 3 hours).

A beautiful quartet has just started playing. I watched them come in, set up and warm-up. There are 2 violinists, a pianist and a guitar player. It was interesting to watch how drawn people are to the music. When the musicians were warming up, people walked by without giving them much notice...but once they started playing together, people gravitated towards them. Folks sitting all around the perimeters turned their attention this way, and most who walked by would stop and take a few minutes to listen.

We are all here, listening to the same music. Whatever we have going on today is suspended for a few moments while these musicians share their sounds with us.

Its interesting to look around and see all the different people engaged in this very moment together. There is a doctor sitting on the floor next to me, sorting thru papers...(he just now got up to move a chair for an old lady who wanted to see better. He left all his stuff here to go help her*...) There are doctors, assistants, cafeteria workers, patients and their caregivers. Soon, we will all be leaving here to pursue our days events...but right now we are all listening to the same songs.

*(20 minutes later) change of thought: must write new blog now...made some new friends...