Favorite Sounds To Listen For

There are millions of people who do not have the privilege of hearing for whatever that reason may be. But, I would like to share with you some of my favorite sounds that perhaps, through reading, those who are deaf will be able to share what I experience.

I love the sound of the morning-from where I live the birds singing in the trees and wires above the houses is the first sound I hear when I wake. Beautiful lyrical twittering and warbling-I may not be able to see them, but I can certainly lie in bed and enjoy a cheerful greeting.

I love the sound of a baby-cooing, crying, or mimicking the sounds adults make, it doesn’t matter-it is music to my ears. The attention that they hold and the motivation to repeat are remarkable.

I love the sound of bells-it doesn’t matter to me where they come from or what the occasion is. Let me give some examples: church bells-high in the bell tower or up in the steeple’s peak, the sound elicits a reverence for God in me. It is a comfort to hear church bells ringing-all is right in the world.

Bells on bikes or bells on ice cream trucks-these are the sounds of summer.

Christmas bells come in the form of the Salvation Army ringing out for all to remember who may not have the Christmas we are enjoying-dig deep and give charitably that is the sound of the Salvation Army bell.

I love the sound of a cold beverage can snapping open on a hot summer’s day-be it a beer or a soda the sound means refreshment.

I love the sound of snow falling in the woods, the soft plop of boughs too heavy to hold it in place any longer, and soft steps on the winter’s path.

I love the sound of children squealing with delight-sledding down a snowy hill in winter; splashing in a pool in summer-children having fun is a joyous sound to me.

I love the sound of music: instruments playing or melodies being hummed; voices singing or lullabies soothing little ones.

I love the sound of firecrackers exploding in the sky-and the oohs and ahs that follow.

I love the sound of a campfire crackling and popping while the lake quietly laps at the shore.

I love the sound of the ocean waves at sunrise when the rest of the world is asleep.

I love the sound of laughter-mine, or another’s, when it is filled with joy and mirth.

I love the sound of chanting-whatever the prayer may be, and whatever the religion, it is the sound of spirit and union.

I love hearing the words: “I love you ”; whether whispered, shouted or just said as a greeting, this also is music to my ears.

Teresa de Caragena-in the 15th century this Spanish nun; religious author; early feminist

Laura C. Redden Searing-19th century journalist & poet; wrote under pen name: Howard Glyndon

Stevie Platt-contemporary author

***

Juliet Low-Founder of Girl Scouts of America

Julius Wiggins-Founder of Silent News  a newspaper for the deaf community

Laurent Clerc-Founder of the American School for the Deaf

***

Shelley Beattie-professional bodybuilder

Curtis Pride-professional baseball player

Kenny Walker-former professional football player

Terrence Parkin-Olympic Swimmer; won a Silver medal in the 2000 Olympics and 2 gold medals in the Deaflympics in 2005

James 'Deaf' Burke-19th century pro boxer

***

Marlee Martin-actress; won an Academy Award in 1987 for Best Actress in: Children of a Lesser God

Linda Bove-actress on Sesame Street, 'Linda the Librarian'

Heather (Whitestone) McCallum-former Miss Alabama; crowned Miss America in 1995

***

Sue Thomas-undercover investigator for the FBI

Kelby Brick-Deaf Attorney

Helen Keller-writer, actor, leader

Thomas Edison-(hearing impaired) Inventor