I sent this email while sitting in Mom’s room at Agrace HospiceCare.
Hi Barb,
There are those few moments in everyones life that we will remember forever. Such a moment occurred for me, Bruce and my Mom on Tuesday afternoon when Mary came into Mom’s room and performed a beautiful private harp concert for her. As you know, Mom loved Mary’s harp playing and has looked forward to her weekly visits to the nurses station.
When Mary entered the room, Mom was sleeping. I woke her I told her she had a visitor. When she saw it was Mary there was a huge smile on her face; A sweet smile that I haven’t seen in months. Mary asked if it was ok if she played a few songs. My Mom said she was THRILLED, and turned to me and asked if this was a dream. I assured her that it was, indeed, not a dream.
Mom held my hand during the concert and at one point turned to me and said “this is the best thing that has ever happened”. A few minutes later she told me that “Papa loves the music”. Interestingly, i learned last week when I came across her baby book that her first spoken word was “Papa”—-it is what she called her father for the first few years of her life.
Mary ended her concert by playing Silent Night. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. A memory of joy, grace, and celebration.
Please know that the work you do matters more than you will ever know. Also, please know that Mary’s presence created a memory that far surpasses any memories we may be carrying of mom’s recent decline in health and approaching death. Those memories will fade with time. The memory of seeing the smile on my Mom’s face and her delight at the gift Mary gave her is one that I will carry forever.
Many blessings to you.
Greg