The following was posted to the Yahoogroups Acoustic Guitar group. I don’t know who posted it, but my hat goes off to him…
For the past twenty odd years or so a couple times each month I take my guitar over to the local hospital and play for patients who request it. This is usually a fun and fulfilling endeavor. I usually play fun covers or anthing that can get folks singing along to take thier mind somewhere outside of te hospital. This morning I was all prepaired to play a bunch of cheery Christmas carols, but the hospital chaplain took me into the room of a young ooy, 14, very, very ill from cancer. As his family sat around him, his parents holding his hands, I played soft instrumental hymns for about half an hour when the heart monitor tried to slip quetly out but thefamily asked me to stay and play a while longer This is the first time a patient died while I was playing. A very young life ending just before Christmas.
Very hard, very sad. His mother thanked me and asked me if I would play at his memorial service. Of course I said I would, but I really just felt overwhelmed with sadness and sorrow.
Very difficult moving on to JIngle Bells and Santa Claus is coming to town after that, but a handful of sick young children singing along and then reacting to a visit from Santa himself instantly took hold of me and transported me elsewhere.
Still feeling very emotional. My friend Beth, the hospital chaplain is an amazing person. I still have so, so much to learn, but time is gonna run out on me sooner or later…
