Windsor Park Theater

A Concert at Mercy Center

Kitch Loftus-Mussari

Some would argue that April is the cruelest month. This unseasonably cold day in April gave lie to that belief.

At Mercy Center in Dallas, PA, the halls were buzzing with an excitement reserved for special visitors and special occasions. The Rivers Room, traditionally used for red carpet events, was being transformed into a sound stage and virtually everyone in the building knew that Mike Lewis would perform at 1p.m.

The residents of Mercy Center, many who require skilled nursing care and others who are in assisted living, were familiar with Lewis as the anchor of the 6 and 11 o'clock news on WNEP-TV. They were anxious to meet him in person and listen to him sing.

One woman told him she gave up her hair appointment to be there.

A staff member agreed to work late for the time off so she could attend the concert.

A Sister of Mercy directed the maintenance staff to set up the chairs in a horseshoe formation so the residents in wheelchairs would have good seats.

Members of the staff pitched in to help get everyone from lunch to the Rivers Room on time.

Those who arrived early watched the transformation in disbelief. Sound equipment was rolled in and set up with precision by Drew and his partner. In the back of the room, video cameras were placed on tripods and connected to the audio system.

In another section of the room Lewis paced back and forth tuning his guitar.

The mood was upbeat and the room was jammed when Lewis was introduced by my husband, Tony Mussari. The two men became fast friends when Tony followed Lewis to Nashville in 2004. Together they captured the events of a recording session at Steve Gibson's Omni Sound.

On this day Tony was videotaping the 40 minute concert at Mercy Center. In words that were personal and illustrative of their friendship, his introduction was heartfelt.

Then Lewis took center stage. Confident, relaxed and smiling, he explained how he got to Mercy Center then he began to sing.

His beautiful ballads had the residents smiling and listening to every word. He talked to them, got them singing and made them laugh. While he worked his magic, the cold, damp weather of early spring melted in the warmth of the room. In their hearts and minds the residents were young again.

While Mussari shot video from every angle, members of the acitivities' staff snapped dozens of pictures.

Then it was over. But no one left the room.

Lewis took the time to meet virtually everyone. He posed for pictures…shook hands and distributed a few CD’s. His face was beaming and his smile was infectious.

Mike Lewis came to Mercy Center to visit and serenade, my mother, Nancy Loftus. When he left, there were cries of encore from every woman in the room.

Tony used the performance to highlight aspects of my mother’s life… a life that was not without many complications and challenges. After the premature death of my father, she gave up everything to raise and educate three children.

Today was payback time, and we were fortunate to have the opportunity.

As I watched Tony work, I knew this was a special assignment.

He never stopped moving. I watched him edit the piece in his heart and soul while he was shooting it.

He wanted to put a person with a history into the story of the concert, not just someone who is now in a wheelchair and requires constant care. He brought her early days of happiness to the screen; the loving smile and hugs she gave her grandchildren, the affection she had for her husband, the hopes and dreams she had for her life.

The carefully crafted pictures matched the beautiful tone of the music and vocals in the video. Together they constitute a snapshot of what life looked like when most of these residents of Mercy Center were in their prime.

In doing this Mike and Tony told the story of everyone in the room. These were women who loved their children…cherished their families…supported their country, and asked for very little in return.

They were part of the Greatest Generation, and they were nothing short of sensational in their own right.

It was a day that gave great pleasure to many...through the music, the extra work to make it special and now the video that can be viewed over and over to remember a special day.

On another level, this was a day when two sons, one old, one young…one with a microphone, the other with a camera said to my mother and all the other women in the room, and to their own mothers as well, thank you for giving us life, love, security and safety.

It is appropriate that this piece is dedicated to three women: One from Oklahoma named Marilyn; One from Archbald, PA, named Nan, and one from Wilkes-Barre, PA, named Jane. They gave the world eight children who did their very best to make their parents proud.

There was nothing cruel or harsh about this April day. It was a day of great beauty and joy.

Please provide feedback to tmussari@aol.com