Seeing a cherished instrument restored can evoke deep feelings of love and connection. For Emma MacLennan, restoring her late son Alex’s Cretan lyra brought back memories of him. Alex passed away at just 31, after battling motor neurone disease (MND). He had a passion for the music and culture of Crete, where his grandmother lived.
Emma described the impact of MND as devastating. “It takes everything away from you,” she shared, emphasizing how her son, despite being trapped in a non-responsive body, remained the same person. The family watched helplessly as his condition progressed.
On the BBC program The Repair Shop, Emma brought the lyra to get it fixed. She expressed disbelief at the ability of stringed instrument expert Becky Houghton to restore it. “It seemed unimaginable,” she said. Houghton described the lyra as “a beautiful instrument owned by some beautiful people.”
The restored lyra now sits at Emma’s home, waiting for future generations to learn and play. Some family members are even considering taking lessons themselves.
This story highlights the emotional power of music and the significance of preserving memories. Instruments like the lyra, rooted in cultural heritage, can serve as connections to our past and remind us of those we’ve loved.
MND affects thousands each year, with more than 5,000 people in the UK diagnosed annually. It leads to muscle weakness and other serious complications, often cutting lives short. These statistics underscore the need for awareness and understanding of this cruel disease.
Restoration projects not only mend physical items but also heal emotional wounds. Such stories touch hearts and remind us of resilience in the face of loss.
For more on MND and how it affects families, you can refer to the NHS guidelines here.
As Emma eloquently put it, seeing the lyra restored was “like having him back.” It’s a testament to the power of love and memory in the face of grief.
Source link
The Repair Shop, PA Media, Emma MacLennan, son Alex, motor neurone disease, stringed instrument, folk instrument, MacLennan
