YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Little by little we are learning to redefine the word “normal” in our lives. In fact, I think the expression is “new normal”.

In recent months, the Stambaugh Auditorium and the DeYor Performing Arts Center have cooperated on several levels and are helping each other move towards the new normal.

Similar initiatives appear to be taking place in our area, particularly in Warren and some adjacent communities. It’s so encouraging to know that people are speaking in a way that sometimes should have happened years ago, but didn’t for a number of reasons, including ultra-competitiveness and turf wars.

In many areas, new possibilities and new discussions are kind of impulsive and usually occur because of an opening that in my opinion has not been repeated. Make no mistake, good preparation and rehearsals are an important part of our life, but spontaneity sometimes brings us wisdom too.

A few Sundays ago, the YSU Dana Ensemble gave a concert at the Ford Recital Hall at the DeYor Performing Arts Center. It was a pleasant Sunday afternoon, and all COVID precautions were fully operational, and more. During Strauss’s famous and popular “Emperor’s March”, one of the violinists inadvertently struck some of the music from his pulpit. It was really something to watch her keep playing – probably from memory and with a little help from her Guardian Angel – and apparently not missing a beat (or several notes).

It was equally surprising to see the violinist next to the young woman making the movements necessary to retrieve the music, place it on her partner’s stand and continue on herself, almost as if it were being rehearsed – which of course , was not. Throughout this unheard part of the program, I was fortunate enough to sit close enough to the two of them to notice their eyes “talking” to each other throughout. It was quite amazing!

The next morning I was having coffees at our local McDonald’s. I was in no rush, but noticed that the car in front of me appeared to be out the drive-thru window for quite a while. Admittedly, I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed that the person behind me had facial expressions that indicated some grief. Plus, admittedly, I was starting to get a little bored.

By the time I got to the window, the young lady on the other side told me that my order and the order behind me had been paid for by the car in front of me. It seems that there was a slight malfunction with the coffee makers and there was a run on the coffee. You can imagine that when I left with my McFreebie, I felt a little guilty for being a little bored.

The next day, I left early in the morning to do my shopping and met a gentleman who was picking up the shopping carts in the parking lot. I should probably mention that this grocery store isn’t one of the larger establishments where islands of cart returns are strewn about. When I finished shopping and paid for my purchases, I mentioned to the cashier that the cart collector outside was courteous and helpful and “have a nice day” happy.

She told me that he was not an employee, that he did regular shopping there, that he kept his distance because of the virus and that he came early on his shopping day to do a little job. goodwill ambassador before shopping.

These are my unrepeated examples Sunday-Monday-Tuesday. All different but not all are part of the routine. Even in the midst of the pandemic, we have probably all worked out our daily routines influenced by the pandemic. Amid all the uncertainty, the unheard moments – or whatever you’d like to call them – were actually enjoyed more, I think.

As the necessary distancing, masking, washing and vaccination have made their way into our daily lives, unsuspected moments seem to be here to give us a boost. A brief reflection can probably remind us of some of our unrepeatable initiatives that have benefited someone else. and gave us a ‘that was good’ sigh in the middle of our day.

As everyday life gets closer and closer to the new normal, it is good to know that the unrepeated has its part to play in our journey. Make no mistake, our schedules, rehearsals and plans are very important. The pandemic response plans literally saved us. It’s also good to know that the unheard parts of our lives including the Violin Music Collector, McDonald’s Benefactor Patron, and Caddy Collector are part of the new normal that keeps us normal.

Copyright 2021 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.