Wednesday :)

Wednesday, May 21st….yep, warm, cloudy and maybe a storm!

Today I played at a Facility that I am so compassionate about.  I love all the Staff and I am thrilled they understand the profound benefits that their Patients receive through Therapeutic Music.  Also, I feel their Patients are more in need of the Service.  Most are wards of the State and few have family or friends visiting.  They are long-term nursing patients, palliative care and hospice.

Today I experienced a chance meeting with a Music Therapist while I was playing for "his" patient.  He works for Hospice and comes to see this Patient as a MT, which is a Bachelor's Degree and very "hands-on" Therapy.  Mine is not a Degree, but a Certification and we do not physically interact with a Patient, we are Therapeutic Musicians or Clinical Musicians and we are non-obtrusive in the sense that we let the Music and our "intention" have the impact on the Patient.  Although very different, we are very much the same.  Our goals are to be part of a tool-box of healing modes.  Therapeutic Music is not a cure, it is part of the mind-body-spirit healing that can take place.  I was so thrilled to have the time to chat with the MT, he could not have been nicer and more professional.  He was so happy to know that "his" patient received services when he could not be with her.

He noticed she was very engaged with the music and commented on how "familiar" music seemed to catch her right away.  He does a lot of improv on the guitar,  but suggested he may start his sessions with more familiar music and then transition to improv.

I went to see Mr. A next and one of the Office Staff caught up with me and wanted to see the response….she got a real treat!  Mr. A was in the fetal position at the foot of his bed, unresponsive.  I played a couple tunes and nothing…..then I moved over to hymns, ones I know he loves.  He laid there singing with his eyes closed.  I wanted to cry…..another "hazard" in my job.  I told him he could sing better if he sat up, so slowly he managed to get into a sitting position on the side of the bed.  Did I mention this man can sing?  He has the most beautiful voice.  The Staff member sang several tunes with him….both of us very emotional.  THIS is why I love this facility…..the staff are the soul of the place, not the brick and mortar.

Mr. A's roommate was in a wheelchair, unresponsive…..until I played "Over the Rainbow"….he opens his eyes and watches me play…..again, very emotional.

From there I moved to the Day Room where there were 8 Patients waiting for lunch.  I love this group of Patients so much.  One does not communicate, except when I am there.  She sings "Amazing Grace" with the most beautiful voice….today one of the aides said, "what?  I didn't know she could even talk!"  Yep, Amazing Grace!  There is another patient that loves Elvis so when I play "Love Me Tender" she is just in tears and then smiles.  There is a young girl that emotionally grabs me every time.  She used to be very shy around me but now she just lights up when she sees the Harp.  She spends 10 minutes getting her wheelchair as close to me as possible.  I don't think she would ever want to touch the Harp but she loves to watch me play.  She always has a beautiful smile on her face when I ask her to sing along.  She rarely speaks, but sometimes she will act shyly and say "no" to singing…LOL

I would love nothing more than to stay all day and make music for them and the Staff, but my fingers give out and usually my stomach is screaming for food!!!

Tomorrow (Thursday) I am at another Facility and I know joy awaits me.  My life is so full and rich and I am so grateful for each day I can give this Service.  I think the only thing missing is food….I think they should provide Lunch!!!