Inspiring Stories

Faith’s comforting music has made a difference in many lives. Here are some stories that portray that comfort.

The Integrative Child Care Specialist called me and asked me to come and play harp for a child who was hospitalized with a brain bleed. As I entered the hospital room his mom said, “We’ve been expecting you, please come in!” As I began to play his grandmother began to weep softly. She was at his bedside and was able to let the music release her worries. I continued to play softly as the orthopedic surgeon talked with the family. As she left she said, “The music is so beautiful, thank you for comforting our families.” The patient’s heartrate had been very high but as I played it began to drop to a normal level. His grandparents were amazed at the beauty and healing power of the music. The EMS attendant told everyone in the room how soothing and powerful the harp music was. His mom asked me to come back the next day.

The staff was tending to the 16 year old patient in room 3. Her family was gathered around her bed. I had been told that life support would be turned off in a few hours. As I walked in the room they invited me to sit down near the bedside. I began improvising and there were many tears shed as the harp music hovered in the room. At one point her brother, sister and I were the only ones in the room. They held on to one another and wept. Tears of sorrow, tears of remembrance.

The 10 year old patient in PEDI icu had brain surgery a couple of days ago. The music therapist asked me to play upbeat music as they got her out of bed and did some walking. She was very weak. I began to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” The physical therapist encouraged her to walk toward the harp music. The small harp I use for situations like this is bright green and she could see the instrument as well. Her mother hugged me tight after the music session and said “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, we need all the encouragement we can get.”

The precious patient who is developmentally delayed, was intubated, his heartrate high. I began to play the harp, just improvising at first then playing songs he would know. He turned his head toward the music and smiled. Although he does not speak, his eyes spoke volumes. As the nurse tended to his needs I played softly. In such a stressful situation she was comforted by the sounds of music. I continued playing and his heartrate began to slow down to a normal rate. As I left the room I waved to my friend. I felt we were in tune with one another.

I received a call from Hospice asking me to play harp for a man who was dying. He had no family other than a niece who could not come and be with him. I sat the harp close to his bedside and began playing softly. I did not play anything familiar so that he would not struggle with trying to remember what the song was. I improvised for an hour, he did not acknowledge me, but that is not why I was there. I wanted to help him let go and transition from this life to the next. He died a few hours after I left.

I am not a healer but the music I provide gives comfort and eases pain so that medicine can do its work. The music also gives peace so that people can transition from this life. Therapeutic music is simple and slow, it’s the space between the notes where healing can occur.

In I Samuel 16:23 the Bible says “David took a harp and played. Saul was relieved and was well.”

Faith gives presentations to groups interested in learning more about therapeutic music. She shares real-life stories and harp music during each presentation. If you would like to know more about how therapeutic music can relieve pain and suffering please contact her.