Most people say that the younger and older generations are polarized nowadays. There is so much negativity on social media that is aimed at old people from young people, and vice versa. But this video shows that everyone can get along if they try.
Dennis is a 91-year-old man who lives in London. He’s been through so much.
As a child, he grew up during World War Two, where he saw the Nazis bomb his home city.
Then, for years after the war, his country struggled, going through rationing and hard economic times.
Throughout these difficulties, one thing kept Dennis going: his love of music.
Throughout those scary days and nights in World War Two, his mother taught him to play the piano, distracting him from the horror of the times.
That love of music never went away. Dennis has played the piano throughout his life. As he became a father, grandfather and eventually a widow, there was one thing always there for him: the songs that he loved playing.
Even in his advanced age, Dennis is still able to play for people on a regular basis.
Although he does not have many friends left, he has an opportunity for people to appreciate his talent.
There is a piano on display at St Pancras Train Station. Anyone can come up to it and use it. Dennis goes there three times a week to play calming songs for the people going to and fro.
Most people don’t give Dennis much consideration. But recently, something happened that warmed his heart.
The musical Cats is currently touring Europe. Actress Ceili O Connor is a cast member in that musical.
One of her colleagues from the show, Matthew Rowland, was walking through St Pancras Station when he noticed Dennis’s music.
He thought that Dennis’s playing was beautiful but that there was something lacking. He needed a singing partner.
So Dennis called Ceili over. She walked up to Dennis, put her hand on his shoulder. They stared at each other and smiled.
Dennis started playing the opening notes to Somewhere Over The Rainbow, one of his favorite songs.
Ceili started singing along, drawing attention from the passers-by.
Matthew knew that he had to capture the moment. He pulled out his phone and started filming.
When Dennis finished the song, Ceili said “Gorgeous,” to Dennis, talking about his playing.
The two then sang a few more songs together.
But the actors had to get their train, and so they said goodbye to Dennis. Before they left, Dennis told Ceili that she had made his day.
But that wasn’t the last that Dennis would see of Ceili.
One week later, the cast had to travel back to London. Although they didn’t have to stop at St Pancras Station this time, Matthew and Ceili went there anyway.
When they entered, they heard something. A piano was playing. They knew that it must be Dennis.
Ceili and Matthew ran up to the piano. Dennis was so absorbed in the music that he didn’t notice them approaching.
Ceili was so happy to see Dennis again. She stopped and put her hand on her heart.
Then she walked up to him. “Dennis?” she asked.
Dennis turned, amazed at seeing his singing partner again. Dennis got up off of his chair and hugged Ceili.
Ceili said to Dennis “I just want to say you made my week.”
Dennis replied, “No, you made my week.”
The two kept on talking for a long time. It was like they were old friends.
And then there was nothing to do but sing a few more songs.
This story has made a huge impact online.
Ceili’s colleague, Matthew, posted the initial video of Ceili and Dennis to Twitter, where it has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
Many of the comments are almost as amazing as the videos.
Stories like this show that people of all ages and backgrounds can be united if they try. Everyone can get along if they just take a little time out and show consideration for one another.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
We’re on our way to Brussels for the next leg of @CatsMusical tour. I saw this guy playing and called @CeiliOConnor as I knew he needed a singing partner. Captured a bit of the magic here. He was so sweet, saying Ceili “made his day” and that she must be “in a show”. Precious x pic.twitter.com/Lx8oNfkO0b
— Matthew Rowland (@matthewrowlandx) March 18, 2019
