A couple of weeks past the first trimester of Emily’s pregnancy Carl and I were at the symphony and I realized that this baby might stick and that we might get to take her to the kids’ TSO (Toronto Symphony Orchestra) concerts. So that would have been somewhere in 2003.
Going to live classical performances is one of Carl’s and my things and it was kind of that realization that I would get to introduce that to our children.
So today we took Noah to his first TSO concert and it was fantastic. We rode the GO train down, got lunch at Gabby’s, walked about on a lovely fall day, and attended a great concert.
The conductor, under the guise of searching for the “magic of music,” talked about melody (Respighi’s The Dove), rhythm (Saber Dance) and imagination (Sugar Plum Fairy) and emotion (Symphony #5 by Beethoven) and oh I don’t remember everything but it was super. She had the kids up conducting at one point. Noah was a bit overwhelmed by sound from time to time, and had to “go to the bathroom” (check out the pay phones) at about the 45 minute mark of the hour-long show. But generally his behaviour, within the framework of the kids’ show, was absolutely fine.
It was just as good as I imagined it, only better.
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Health-wise the ENT didn’t find anything wrong with me, which is good, but frustrating. I have more tests scheduled with him and the MRI next week. I actually am feeling a bit better and have had fewer headaches, so maybe whatever it is is resolving regardless. I’d still like to know what it is, but I am glad it’s receding enough at least to get through normal things.
The actual ENT experience just got worse and worse though – anaesthetic down the throat, along with a scope, while looking out over the same view as I sat watching as my first OB explained (“explained”) why Emily died. Spaciness afterwards to the point that I had to wait a while before I could drive. And a day after that of lack of concentration and a lot of free-floating rage. But I think I’ve worked through it okay.
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And although I really missed that wee Emily who (later in her term) kicked inside me to the Rach 3 and Lord of the Rings, who was already tuned into rhythm and sound, and who never got to go anywhere with us outside the womb, having Noah there was – well let’s say I found the magic of music, and it might’ve been the delight in my son’s eyes.
Grinning with happiness at your musical afternoon.
I’m smiling at the musical happiness, too, although it’s tinged with upset at your long medical mystery, too.
Emily will always be there with you, won’t she. I’m sorry it’s not in person, though.