I didn’t really have expectations. But like all other moments when you don’t have expectations, life just serves you one big surprise. Yes, I was surprised. Enthralled even. Yet, I was enchanted above all.
The plaza around the Font Màgica de Montjuïc was packed with people in the fading light of day. Everyone was trying to get the best vantage point before the musical fountain show would start. Somehow, I wound up standing directly at the fountain’s edge between a little girl and an elderly man. I kinda liked that. There’s always something special about places that draw people of all ages. And as though Heaven itself was part of the show, the sky dimmed just as the first musical note filled the hushed air.
Then the fountain came alive.
The water rose and fell in time with the music. With every crescendo, the fountain burst to it’s heights and the water faded and blended into different colors. People applauded and cheered and the fountain continued it’s show like a dancer reveling in the light of the crowd’s admiration. Some people danced with the music, some people hummed to the beat, and some even sang along. Gazing all around me, I saw tourists from all around the globe mingle with the locals. There was a certain tranquility that I felt. I found it beautiful that despite all our varied ethnic backgrounds and cultural differences, there could be unity. Laughter was the universal language that summer’s eve. And oh, how it filled the air!
In the light of the current troubles of our world, when I begin to doubt humanity, I go back to that one evening I spent at a fountain in Barcelona. That moment where race, creed, and politics were all set aside to appreciate the beauty of what we had. The blessing of music, the wonder of seeing, the gift of that soft summer breeze...the miracle of living. Remembering that moment, I cannot help but think that there is hope for humanity after all.
The plaza around the Font Màgica de Montjuïc was packed with people in the fading light of day. Everyone was trying to get the best vantage point before the musical fountain show would start. Somehow, I wound up standing directly at the fountain’s edge between a little girl and an elderly man. I kinda liked that. There’s always something special about places that draw people of all ages. And as though Heaven itself was part of the show, the sky dimmed just as the first musical note filled the hushed air.
Then the fountain came alive.
The water rose and fell in time with the music. With every crescendo, the fountain burst to it’s heights and the water faded and blended into different colors. People applauded and cheered and the fountain continued it’s show like a dancer reveling in the light of the crowd’s admiration. Some people danced with the music, some people hummed to the beat, and some even sang along. Gazing all around me, I saw tourists from all around the globe mingle with the locals. There was a certain tranquility that I felt. I found it beautiful that despite all our varied ethnic backgrounds and cultural differences, there could be unity. Laughter was the universal language that summer’s eve. And oh, how it filled the air!
In the light of the current troubles of our world, when I begin to doubt humanity, I go back to that one evening I spent at a fountain in Barcelona. That moment where race, creed, and politics were all set aside to appreciate the beauty of what we had. The blessing of music, the wonder of seeing, the gift of that soft summer breeze...the miracle of living. Remembering that moment, I cannot help but think that there is hope for humanity after all.
Please pray for peace in this troubled world.
Thank you for reading.
