Man Sits at Piano After Devastating Flood; Haunting Song He Plays Inspires Thousands

Years ago, famed TV host Mr. Rogers shared some advice with his viewers on coping with tragedy. Rogers’ mother told him that in difficult times to always “Look for the helpers.” When one man sat at a piano in his flooded Houston home, he wasn’t helping clean up at the moment, but his powerful tune seems to be helping thousands cope in the aftermath.

In a video posted by NBC News on Facebook, a man, later identified as Aric Harding of Friendswood, Texas, sits at a piano with knee-deep floodwaters all around. Harding plays a slow, melancholy song accompanied by the soft ripples and waves of water that echo throughout the home. Watch:

The ending is especially potent as Harding ends the song, looks away from the instrument, and stares in silence at his flooded home.

Within hours, the video was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, garnering thousands of likes and shares.

Touching comments were posted by users from all across the country, including Nell Tutor Thrower, who wrote, “Beautiful music coming from one of the worst moments in his life. So sad that he realizes he will never get to play his beautiful piano ever again yet delivers such a heart felt piece.”

Facebook user Rebekah Chavez wrote, “Cried when I saw this man! What an inspiration and Testament to the rest of us!”

No, the piano keys won’t help the water recede or clean mud from the walls. Sometimes help isn’t a physical response. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is spread a little beauty and inspiration, not to touch what we can hold, but to touch those things that we cannot.

Please SHARE this inspiring moment with your friends and family!