Solace Ambassador of the Month

I'm honored to be named the Ambassador of the Month at Solace for the work I do there. It gives me great joy to put a smile on a face, to uplift someone who is sad or in pain, and have the opportunity to say to them..."your body may be hurting, but just listen to how your spirit is SOARING through my flute." Just saying this seems to help them, and it is my pleasure to do so.

What I'm learning from this experience at Solace is that often it's the families that benefit just as much from this music as the patients. One family member recorded the tunes I played and then played them back to the patient later. That seemed to be very helpful to the patient, especially when it was explained to him that this "tune" came from his spirit, expressing itself through my flute. I often say to them "your body may not feel so good, but your spirit is soaring! Just listen to this tune you're producing!" It's quite magical.

A special day playing for families of loved ones and for those patients who enjoy the music. One lady said "your music matches my heartbeat". Another lady said she got goosebumps and how the music made her feel special, once she realized that the tunes were "hers". I just get out of my own way and let their spirit express itself through my flute. She was amazed by this and got wide eyed as I explained, and then smiled so big. It made my day special too.

Today I enjoyed visiting and playing for the very creative, visual patient who can weave a whole story around my music. It gives both her and me such pleasure to see what "story" the music evokes for her. The Irish tunes surfaced again today for the gentleman with Irish heritage, and he about got up and danced a jig! Another lady waved her arms in the air "directing" me as the music flowed out, and the tune was so melodic and beautiful, mirroring her beautiful spirit. I'm always amazed how many people tell me that they just "love" music and that my flute calms and soothes them. Music IS the language of the soul!

I'm always so grateful and surprised by the reactions of the patients at Solace to my music. During my weekly trip this week to Solace, a COPD patient who was struggling for breath visibly calmed down as the music poured out of my flute. A family in tears reacted with joy as the music expressed their loved one so perfectly. They said he loved music and the tune that came through my flute was "just the kind of music he loved". An actively dying lady opened her eyes and smiled (perhaps for the last time) as the music poured forth. When I left, she called me back to play more. These experiences really confirm for me the power of music, and how comforting it can be during the "transition" process to the other side.

After a long absence due to vacation, I'm back playing my musical "tales". Today was especially poignant, as a Solace patient's family asked me to play at his funeral. It was a sweet funeral where I learned about this man's life and how much he meant to people. As I tuned into his soul, I was happy that he "sent" me a wonderful tune to play for his family and friends that was so melodic and beautiful, just like him. It was a pleasure to do this and I felt his presence.

So let's begin...Here are some of my past "tales". To protect the privacy of the patients, no real names are used. What I love about this service is the opportunity to help people see how "special" they are. The music is coming from THEM, and I tell them "that beautiful melody came from YOUR beautiful spirit". Their eyes light up and it brings them joy.

Ed was an unhappy man as he lay in his bed week after week. The nurses said he never smiled. Yet...whenever I entered his room, he lit up with a big smile and then closed his eyes waiting for the music to begin. Each time, he would say "My, my, you just hit the right tune for me today. It was just what I needed". And I would remind him that it was not I who was making this music, but his spirit that was expressing what he needed flowing through my flute. We would smile together.

Sarah didn't want me to play her "special song" - she only wanted Amazing Grace. I would play it over and over as she would relax her head into her pillow and peacefully smile. It touched her at the core and I was pleased I had memorized "that" song to give to her.

Bill said "How did you know?" I asked "Know what?" "How did you know I am Irish/Polish? Did you see my name?" I replied "No, I only saw Bill on the door". The Irish tune with a polka twist that came through my flute surprised me, but I've learned to never question the music that comes. It WAS his special tune and meant just for him. He kept repeating - "wow, that's so awesome...how did you know...?"

Jane gave me a very detailed "vision" of where my music took her as she closed her eyes and listened. Together we went to a beautiful Irish coast (she was Irish too!), with the green pastures gleaming and the wind in our hair and then wound up singing in an Irish pub. She loved the journey as it had taken away the physical pain she was feeling, if only for a brief time.

Sue's whole family was there as Sue was struggling for breath in her final hours. Did they want me to play? "Yes, please!" I explained that "I "tune into" Sue's spirit, so let's see what comes through". When I finished, her best friend said - "That was Sue!!! That music was just like her. I could feel her spirit. You nailed it!" I was glad that this music gave her friends and family comfort in those final hours.

Then there was Dot. Dot was sleeping when I went in to play, but I'm always instructed to play anyway, because at some level we believe they can hear the peaceful sounds. This time, I didn't feel like "improvising", but rather felt called to play Amazing Grace. As I played it, I watched Dot but became concerned that perhaps she wasn't breathing. When I finished, I put my finger in front of her nose, but as I'm not a nurse, I just wasn't sure. Then, for some reason, I felt called to play Amazing Grace a 2nd time. When I left Dot, I immediately went to the nurse's station and reported that I was concerned that Dot might not be breathing. "Oh honey, she's dead. We just haven't gotten to her yet". Well...I know that Amazing Grace accompanied her to heaven, with a double dose to boot.

These are some of my past "tales" from the last few years. As I continue this service, I will post occasionally and also enhance this blog to where if you feel so inclined, you can donate to our local Hospice center. Stay tuned...(no pun intended).

Welcome!

Welcome to my new Blog! It is called "Musical Tales at Hospice" because that is what I do - create a musical "tale" at our local Hospice center, called Solace, by improvising a song on my flute. I visit each patient, "tune" into their spirit and energy, and then let that spirit express itself through my flute. It is THEIR song, coming from THEIR spirit, unique to each patient. I never know what the tune will be...I just allow it to flow.

I have been offering this service for almost 2 years inspired by the passing of a neighbor who enjoyed hospice musicians at the end of his life. Through this service, I have enjoyed bringing comfort, joy, and peace to those precious souls who are close to making their transitions. The purpose of this blog is to share some of these heart warming experiences, so that families and patients can know that this "end of life" can be beautiful and peaceful, and not something to be feared.