I would like to take this opportunity to share some touching stories of how music therapy works. Not only do we use music therapy in times of happiness and fun, but we also use it in the final stages of life.
On May 8th, 2009, I was honored to have been there for Jean Samuelson and her Daughter. I was able to play the violin, guitar and sing for her as she passed away. It was amazing that even during this time she still tried to open her eyes to agnolize the music. She passed away about 10 minutes after I had played the violin. Her daughter, a friend and I were all there with her as she passed away. We called it a "Girls night", and Jean loved her girls nights, so we did it in honor of her.
For her memorial service her family had asked if I could play her violin. This was one of the most special moments I have ever had in my musical journey. I will always treasure this moment in my heart.
Arthur was a very special man. He made beautiful work out of things he found at the dump. He constructed a beautiful sail boat for his daughter to race, he fixed up a violin that someone threw out for his other daughter to play, and made beautiful furniture, along with the house Marge lives in today.
My foundest memory of Arthur was that he was a musician and would always call me on things that were out of tune or weren't the right chords. Arthur was a wonderful engineer, woodmaker, and musician. Every night for 2 hours before bed, he would play his grand piano, always ending with a song dedicated to his wife, "Marge"...the song was "Margie".
When I first met Arthur he asked me to play Edelweiss. I would play this song for him every day. The reason why I mention this, was because at his final moment of life, I played this song for him. After playing the song it took only 15 mintues for him to pass. He was a wonderful man. His wife Marge, and his chilren, Jimmy, Janine, and Suzanne are all wonderful people and great examples of family. Marge came to the nursing home everyday to eat lunch with Arthur, so when she asked me to play the guitar and sing for him it was an honor and special moment. I will always remember him and his family for the wonderful support and love they gave.
Lois is my most recent treasure. I have known her for about 2 years or more. She was in the service and plays the piano. Lois is a wonderful women full of life and music. Her and I have so much fun together and understand eachother very well. This picture was taken when we went to the 4th of July parade 2 years ago. Now she is one of my 1:1 patients at Cape Cod Nursing Home in Buzzards Bay. She teaches me lyrics and music that I have never heard before. The time we spend together is unexplainable in words but full of life in music. I usually sing with her or play the violin while she accompanies me on the piano. She is a very caring, loving women, who has a heart of gold. When we are together the smile on her face is priceless and you can feel the genuine love she has for what we do together, Music. Lois is a wonderful inspiration for me as a music therapist. Every time I am with Lois she brings such joy and love that it reminds me of why I became a music therapy. When people pass by she wants them to smile when they hear the music. We do plenty of that when we are together. We smile, laugh, and share a connection through music that will help her to keep her spirits up and help her to stay healthy and strong. I am very happy that I have had the opportunity to know this special women and to share this wonderful connection with her through music.
