As November begins, it ushers in what I like to call the season of nostalgia—a time filled with holiday cheer, joy, celebration, and reflection. For many, the holidays bring a mix of emotions, often warm and comforting, and the word that resonates most deeply with me is nostalgia.
Nostalgia is a bridge to the past, often sparked by a memory tied to moments of joy or simplicity. For me, it can be as small as a sound or as vivid as a childhood scene. I remember watching the TRON: Legacy movie years ago, and the moment the music began, I was transported back to the 1980s. I could see my younger self sitting in our apartment—the place where my family and I first lived after arriving from Colombia—watching the original TRON movie. That memory wasn’t just about the film; it was about family, resilience, and the warmth of simpler times.
It’s one thing to feel nostalgia personally, but witnessing someone else experience it in real time is a special kind of moment. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting my friend Farrah at Providence Senior Living, a beautiful new senior community. While exploring, I spotted a Yamaha piano, and I immediately sat down to play. Before long, residents began to gather around, drawn in by the music.
One resident joked, “What do we have to do to get you here? We’ll make it happen—I don’t care what anyone says!”. We all laughed, and for a moment, the room felt alive with shared joy.
I had an opportunity to return a few weeks later, this time bringing some friends along for a tour. Naturally, I snuck in another impromptu piano session. As I played, one resident approached me, tears streaming down her face. I stopped to ask if she was okay, and she smiled, explaining through her tears that the music had stirred memories of her own childhood.
She shared that she had grown up playing the piano but hadn’t touched one in years because she didn’t have any sheet music. When I told her I was simply improvising, her eyes widened in disbelief. We talked about our shared background in classical training, and I encouraged her to play again, even without music. She hesitated at first but soon began experimenting with the keys. At one point, she stopped, looked up with a radiant smile, and said, “Oh Lord, I forgot how much fun this was.”
That moment will stay with me forever. It reminded me how powerful music—and nostalgia—can be in reconnecting us to the past while bringing joy to the present.
As we enter this season of nostalgic Thanksgiving, I am profoundly grateful. Grateful to God for the memories that music has given me, for the gift of connecting with others, and for moments like these that remind me of the beauty in shared experiences. That brief interaction with a sweet senior reminded me that no matter our age, the things we once loved can still bring us joy—and sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement to rekindle that spark.
This November, I encourage you to take time to reflect on the memories that bring you joy, and perhaps even create new ones by sharing your gifts with others. You never know whose heart you might touch—or how your own might be warmed in return.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is GOOD and his LOVE endures FOREVER; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalms 100:4-5 NIV+
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