Franck van der Heijden

März 23, 2016

Yesterday.
I was outside my hotel in Toronto waiting for my ride to the airport a homeless guy walked up to me and started to sing and make jokes. I smiled, gave him some money and we had a conversation. 'You're a musician' he said. I was surprised because I didn't have my instrument with me. He asked me where I am based so after I told him that I'm from Holland. 'Bedanken' (which means to thank in Dutch) he said.
He could speak several languages and I guess he originally was from Switzerland because he was able to speak this crazy Swiss German as well.
'You play the guitar' he continued and I asked how did you he knew that. 'I can see it in your eyes' he replied, 'music comes from the heart and the soul' and he sang What a wonderful world (Louis Armstrong) for me. He actually had a very nice voice, and he told me he played guitar and piano too.
I said to him "you have a good voice, why don't you try to get your life together and do something with your talent?"
His reply was food for thought.
'It's all fine the way it is, today is one of my best days because I made you smile'...

Now that's a lesson in humbleness.
When I walked through the airport I looked at the faces of so many people, all grumpy and dissatisfied, probably unhappy because they can't buy that 2nd car or 3rd TV set.
I could only think of that homeless guy on the street, without any possessions, that has so much contentment by communicating with others and simply making another person smile.....