Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

This song gets me every time. It just touches my heart when Daniel sings Empty Chairs at Empty Tables with such passion and emotion. He knows where to go to tap into the sting of death, and losing the ones you love. He is familiar with such feelings of sadness and heartache. This song addresses the pain, right where it hurts.

I also helped him with some guidance on letting out the emotion, and singing with anger. I told him to let it out. Anger can be very strong when death occurs, and should be portrayed, especially in this song. I think it is so healing for him to let it out in such a way. Daniel has always said that music is his therapy.

He will be performing this song at the benefit concert for his junior high school. He is performing as Marius from Les Miserables. Our family has a special love for the music from Les Mis, it has always moved us to the core, and Daniel is more than thrilled to have the chance to perform some of the music from it.

Here is Daniel singing with all his heart and soul...

Sammi is on the piano, playing "undercover." She said it is meant to be symbolic of all of the "invisible" performances by the pianists, who put their heart and soul into the music, but often go unseen. She will be playing for Daniel at the concert too, probably in a dress, and not a blanket. She always pours her guts into everything she plays, and her contribution is priceless. We would not have piano music in our home, without her passion for it, and I am so grateful she chose to pursue her love of the piano.

It has made life that much sweeter for all of us.

I am so proud of both of them for sharing their love of music.

I am so grateful for music, and that it can express the depth of feelings, in a way that nothing else can.