A most enchanting morning

Early this morning, I was on my way to work in my studio in Long Island City, a beautiful sunny day with a crisp blue sky, a gorgeous aquamarine that you find only in a New York spring day. I entered my industrial loft building and got into the elevator like I do now regularly for years. This is the kind of blue-collar neighborhood, which exudes the guts of the city, it is electric, tense and so real in emotions with a rainbow of people from all over the world. I push my elevator button and in short time got into my floor. I then realize that something very special is occurring, a sound, an incredible sound was reverberating through my hallway; I had never experienced such a thing, it was as if you were in a cathedral. Something highly magical was happening, curious as I am I walked along this long hallway, and there in a corner hidden, a man was playing his guitar with such heavenly talent that I  could not believe  what I was witnessing. Alone in a corner, sitting on a broken chair, he was playing for himself, some magical songs. Not used for this kind of situation, I just stood there and listened to his music, almost levitating. I felt totally spiritually elevated, seeing this amazing musician playing for an audience of one. He told me that he was from Haiti and was here for the last 40 years, and that his name was Lionel Germain.

I introduced myself and told him that I was an artist and working on the floor and that he was most welcomed to come and play in my studio whenever he felt like it. My soul was opening as if I was praying, it was surreal.

I stood there for another 10 minutes, and was counting my blessings, this beautiful gift that was offered to me to start the day with the sound of music and talent.

Lionel touched my soul in a unique way; he works during the day, as a clerk in a big commercial enterprise, to earn his keeps. But in the morning before working, he is there in the hallway enchanting the space with his talent, and getting an enormous pleasure doing what he loves above all.

True his existence, I realized how blessed I am to do what I really like without having to compromise like Lionel. His smile and his “joie de vivre” is infectious, probably a modest life, but in a way, I was jealous of his freedom and his ability to carry his guitar and create these unforgettable moments for strangers to admire.

Another one of these untypical New York characters that create a beautiful tapestry of people that have this spark that makes you think about your luck and destiny. This was a grateful moment that reinforces my conviction about why this city, always surprises me, even at my doorstep.

 Lionel Germain