With All His Heart

This is my friend Bill. On Saturdays, when I can, I stop by to visit with him at a local senior care facility. Yesterday, for the first time in all my visits, I brought my camera along.

When I asked if I could take his picture, his eyes lit up, he smoothed his hair a bit, removed his glasses and asked for his horn. (It’s kept in a case on the nightstand next to his bed.)

Bill loves his family, he loves Jesus and he loves playing music. I believe he’s mostly self-taught. Because of his condition, he doesn’t play with the same proficiency he once did, but, as you can see, he plays with heartfelt passion.

While playing, his expression looks pained, but in reality, it’s the look of concentration – on breath control, notes, tone, technique…  And, more than anything, you see the portrait of a man intent on persevering; a man playing with all his heart.

He gave a mini-concert that brought compliments and encouragement from the passing care-givers. (God bless them.)

Larger images of these photos can be seen by clicking on them.