A Quiet Week

It is a quiet week at he hospital. Tomorrow is New Years. I wasn't sure if I wanted to come in today, but I am excited to show a patient and his wife my older instrument. I played for them yesterday. They have heard my newer instrument and are interested in hearing the difference in sound between the two. We meet in the lounge. While we are there another patient whom I have played for in the past comes by with her friend and they join us. Another patient's husband sits quietly nearby and finally the first patient's wife shows up. Everyone is involved in listening and sharing stories between the tunes, getting to know one another and appreciating the moments together. Each of these people is facing tremendous life challenges. There are five rounds of chemotherapy to look forward to, a stem cell transplant, a brain tumor recently removed from a young mother. Yet these people are full of hope and enthusiasm. The music serves as a gathering place, a hearth to sit around and roast marshmallows and tell stories. Once again I am in awe of the power of people to hope and dream and share with one another. And I am amazed at the power of music to bring them together. I love these people! So glad I decided to come in today!