A few days ago I wrote about tea. Well, actually it was a quote that went something like... the third cup of tea you become a member of my family. I know that sounds a bit silly but there is a reason I am writing about "tea time".
Several years ago I met a teenager that walked into the room carrying a violin and she wanted to learn how to play it. Normally violin lessons start at around the age of five and this teenager was well beyond that. She was a delightful soul with a gentle smile that I would become familiar with over the years. This young teenage girl that I am writing about is Elisabeth Tinnes.
I had the privilege of photographing her wedding in 2005 and I have three memories from that day. One: they had the biggest most elaborate wedding cake I have ever seen. Two: they left the church in a Keota fire truck. Three: (and most special to me) out of all the guests at the reception there were a few that loved Elisabeth in a very special way. These few guests were adults that Elisabeth had shared her music with in a therapy situation. I saw again a gentle smile and tenderness as she interacted with her special friends.
The reason I am writing this today is because this morning I once again saw the tenderness, compassion and love within her. I joined Elisabeth at an in home music therapy session to try and capture on still camera interactions, feelings and emotions...not an easy thing to do. (Sometimes I wish I had a video camera). Pictures and words can not express what I witnessed this morning while she was playing, singing and gently touching the hands of her young client. I will simply say that Elisabeth is a gift from God and I am thankful she has become part of my tea time family!
I have created a video with a few of the images and I hope you take the time to watch it.
Visit Elisabeth: http://www.thejoyofmusic-therapy.com/
Linda