Tales from the Harp

"Come back in a few, there are some things going on," the nurse told me. I came to play harp for two people at the hospice house and both were busy. Soon the door opened to one of the rooms, where I met an elderly gentleman in his bed, with his wife in attendance. She wasn't too sure about this harp business, thinking perhaps that I was an entertainer. The nurse pitched in, saying, "Morphine and music are a great combo and will surely help your husband relax." She relented and invited me in. I played quietly for about 30 minutes. Her husband did relax, with a few moments of agitation mixed in. He had lost coherence. His wife did not understand what he needed anymore. She never uncrossed her arms during my visit and the tension in the room felt high. I could see she was scared and unsure. I caught her eye a few times and nodded my understanding, as much as I can understand another's pain. She began to cry a bit as I played. A  friend came in to visit and conversation was a bit loud and revolved around what was happening and what it meant. But this did not bother our patient. Eventually I packed it in and the wife did thank me. Perhaps I was able to create a small measure of peace and crack the door open to acceptance. 

The next room housed a woman in maybe her 50's. The door was flung open to the balmy June breeze and the view of the restful grounds. An aromatherapy mister puffed away and a friend was finishing up an essential oil treatment. Wind chimes belled quietly. Fresh fruit was on the bed table.  "I love harp; it is magic music," she told me. I had been trying to get to her bedside for a week. I began to play and she promptly shut her eyes and a smile spread across her face. Her friend was busy with her phone for a bit. She eventually put it away and fell asleep on the sofa. As I played to the napping women, a sense of timelessness and deep peace drifted in. The atmosphere felt ancient. I played until my back said no more. The patient came to and thanked me and invited me back, again sharing her love of the harp. Her friend continued to snooze.

How people experience death and what I am invited in to share never fails to touch my heart.  I am so blessed to be able to play for people in these situations. 
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