There is still...

...so much beauty and beautiful people in this world!
I love Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and especially the Ode to Joy.  Beethoven composed this beautiful piece after he had gone almost completely deaf.
The premier night of this piece was Beethoven's first on-stage appearance in 12 years.  Although the performance was officially directed by another man, at the beginning of every part Beethoven, who sat by the stage, gave the tempos.  He was turning the pages of his scores and beating time for an orchestra he could not hear.
I have often felt sad that Beethoven could not hear the orchestra perform his brilliant piece.  However, it is said that Beethoven could hear all of the music in his mind--that is how he was able to compose such an amazing piece in the first place.  I wonder if the music he heard in his mind was even more beautiful and heavenly than the sounds our earthly instruments can produce.