In the story, when Santiago is stricken with grief and pain, he calls out to his mother who has just died.
"Help me, Mom!...
…The melody of a song bursts to life…
…All I know is this, the notes didn’t come from me.
Mom sent them. She sent them to keep me alive."
Years ago, my husband Dominic experienced a similar revelation when his own mother died suddenly and sent him the inspiration for a song that would lead him out of his grief.
She knew, as Santiago’s mother does, that music can heal pain.
"Just because we didn't expect to lose it, doesn't mean we took it for granted"