vessel and guide the conversation in a way that will be beneficial for whoever I ’ m speaking with , believer or non-believer . Sometimes we plant . Sometimes we water . Sometimes we reap .
It wasn ’ t unusual for me to play for a nonresponsive or actively dying patient . Many nurses have told me that , in the process of dying , hearing is the last sense to go . In this type of situation , I would play relaxing , instrumental hymns or sing quietly by the bedside . A silent pray for God ’ s blessing on anyone is always appropriate .
[ WM ] Besides the patient on hand you also can impact their family members , nurses , doctors and hospital staff . Please elaborate on that .
[ John ] Family members were always very appreciative of having live music for their loved ones . Most of my most memorable encounters began with , “ Can you play some music for my father , mother , or husband ?”
Once a hospice nurse invited me into a room where a loving grandmother was actively dying . She was surrounded by her family . They requested several hymns . Several of them joined in as they sang through tears . Then one of the sons said , “ You know , Mom ’ s favorite song was “ The Gambler ” by Kenny Rogers .” This was an emotionally charged situation , so I was intently focused on my tablet . When I reached the chorus , out of the corner of my eye I saw movement . The actively dying woman was sitting up in bed waving her arms and kicking her feet , “ That ’ s my favorite song !” The room went from tears to laughter in half a second . This sweet lady looked around the room telling each family member how much she loved them .
There ’ s much more to this story but let me say , the music gave the family an amazing experience that would never have happened without that favorite song . This beloved woman passed later that evening .
Of course , doctors are all about science and medicine . What is up with this fluffy music stuff ? I got a few skeptical looks in the early days . It didn ’ t take long until those doctors were won over and became friends . Nurses always thanked me for bringing the music . Many told me that even on an extremely stressful day , the sound of the guitar assured them that , “ Things are going to be alright ”.
Several nurses became my unofficial managers , “ The patient in this room likes rock and the person two doors down would like to hear some hymns .” One nurse said , “ Anytime you see me you can play ‘ Classical Gas ’”. After ten years of seeing her once or twice a week she said , “ You can play something different if you like ”.
Music doesn ’ t stay in a box . Even though my main directive was to patients . Music floats where it will and touches everyone . A handful of times I was in a room when a patient , surrounded by friends and family passed away . One of our roles as a musician is to use the beautiful gift to bring comfort as best we can .
[ WM ] I ’ m sure that after the patient has
22 April 2024 Subscribe for Free ...