The man who lives across the hall in my high-rise apartment building is a retired cellist. He doesn’t play professionally anymore, but he teaches or plays at events when it suits his schedule. When I’m coming and going out in the hall, I sometimes hear him playing through his apartment window.

As he came out his door one day, I mentioned his playing sounded lovely. Embarrassed that he might have disturbed me, he quickly apologized for the “noise.” I appreciated that, but when did we become so sensitive? I told him to keep it up, play as much as he liked, with the door open even! I love hearing something that clearly gives him so much joy. And it made me feel like I knew him just a little better.

Lover of music and people – Atlanta, GA

(Photo/Faith Guney)