The Magic of Christmas

Monday, December 9, 2013....a cold evening and Snow tomorrow all day...I love snow

Oh where to start???  Today I decided to "volunteer" my time at my Lady's Facility where I have been doing Internship Hours.  Since my Hours are complete and the Facility is "hiring me" I have not played for my Patients for 3 weeks.  I couldn't stand it any longer, so many of them are so thrilled to have Bedside Music and the idea of them having nothing was more than I could bear.....so off I went early this morning.

First stop...in a previous blog posting I talked about a Patient that screamed profanities then entire time I played for her roommate.  Well the Roommate was not there today, but the screaming patient was.  So I came in and she said she didn't feel up to Music, to which her Daughter said, "We are leaving and this nice lady is here with her Harp, please listen to some Music".  So "OK, just for a minute".  30 Minutes later and after she belted out most of the Christmas Carols, she asked me when I would be back and tole me I had a beautiful "Organ".  ok...Harp/Organ....whatever......We are friends.

On to my Patient that loves her music and puts her bed in the reclining position as soon as I start to play.  This Patient started crying and told me her roommate told her I wasn't coming back, but she new I would because I told her I would.  Talk about feeling terrible....just terrible, but I am so glad I saw her today.  She relaxed and told the Aide she needed Music more than Food, she would eat later.  She loves her hymns and Christmas Music.  She asked if I could come back tomorrow...oh how I wish I could.

Next is a beautiful lady, her roommate is never in her bed when I play for her, but today she was!  After 15 minutes she asked me to stop playing, to leave and that I gave her a headache.  I am trying to hold it together and my beautiful patient says, "oh no, I love having the Harp, don't go" to which the roommate says,  "just get out".  So what a dilemma .....I pulled the curtain around and moved my Harp next to the bedside of the beautiful patient and told her we needed to play ever so quiet...she giggled and said ok....another 15 minutes and not a peep out of her neighbor....when I left I thanked them both for listening to the Harp....hilarious 

As I am leaving this Unit, I see 4 Patients in the Dayroom with their Lunch Trays.  I decided to stop in and asked if they liked music.  One Patient clapped his hands and one smiled.  One was very interested in my Harp, one did not wake up.  As I played, the patient that clapped his hands got very sad and started crying, talking about his "Daddy".  I changed songs and played "God Bless America"...yep that was it...he started singing and clapping and one of the other Patients started laughing and clapping....amazing how the Memory works.  From then on it was Patriotic.  It was interesting to watch the memory recall...it kicked in near the end of the song and the second time around, they had the words.  While I was playing a woman in her wheelchair came into the room and wheeled herself right up against the Harp.  I stopped and said hello and she said "beautiful".  She put her hand on my leg and rubbed my leg the entire time I played.  Very touching and kind....it was like my Grandma sitting there listening, I loved it.

My last patients are 2 of the most lovely ladies and I get such a kick out of them.  One is young and Terminal and one is Palliative Care and elderly.  The young patient asked for hymns and Christmas songs to which she sang.  She has a beautiful voice and when I was done she told me when she is sad and worried, Music lifts her up and could I please come more often.  I choked on that one.  The older patient can't usually remember the words but that doesn't stop her from singing.....she cracks me up and she closes her eyes and waves her hands all over the place.  She clapped as I was leaving and told me she was so happy I was back from vacation.....gulp

So, the employment wheels turn slowly, but I know the effort is there, especially at this Facility.  The Activities Director really does understand the value for the Patients....just lots of approvals etc.  But until then, how can I ignore these people that so desperately need the Therapeutic Music and a warm body in their room to laugh with them.  I am glad I went and of course I will go back...either as a Volunteer or Paid Therapeutic Musician....after all, it's the Magic of Christmas!