A New Year, new developments.

Last fall found me both very busy at the hospital as we moved into a new Spiritual Care office and welcoming Jo Philpot to the Harp team for our third Music Minister.
Jo was trained by Tina Tourin and is a most gracious and talented harp therapist.

And of course there was the requests for Yule/Christmas/Advent services both within and without the hospital.

I am now part of a Death Midwifery service called A Sacred Passing based her in Bellingham providing services to assist individuals in a more natural way of dying. Honoring their choices, supporting them dying at home or hospice with respect to a death plan that they have developed for their own transitus/dying. Their Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/asacredpassingdeathmidwives.

For me, it's a continuation of the work I have done in being with souls in the their hospital stays as they come closer to death, as well as my connections with the field of Music Thanatology.

The service is just beginning, but I believe we will be busy as the word goes about what we can offer.

Blessings,

Duncan

Stella Benson, In Memorium.

One month ago, I visited Stella Benson in the ICU at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center to play a bit of harp music for her as she had been re-admitted for emergency care.
I had first met Stella in 1999 at a Music for Cancer Care conference in Seattle led by Pat Moffit Cook who was exploring the use of sound for healing.
I knew Stella was one of the very respected harpers who used the harp for healing/comfort in various healthcare settings and found her to be a warm and delightful soul.
I purchased all of her books and CD's that were excellent in helping harpers find their path in using the harp for healing.

I knew that she had been dealing with cancer, among other medical complications, but she seemed to be on the road to recovery. I played some music near her bedside and even though she was asleep, she appeared to respond to the music.

When I returned two days later to play again, Randy (her husband) informed that she had worsened so quickly that the life support she was on, would be removed on Sunday, the 27th July.

I and Jo Philpot (a healing harper and a close friend of Stella) played before the life support was removed and Jo played beautifully during the time it took for Stella to breathe her last.

I have removed the link to her older website (The Healer's Way), but the current one of the International Musician's Healing Program is still active and you can order her books from there. Currently the CD's are not available from there, but a Google search will let you find her recorded music.

She was an inspiration and leader for many, many harpers around the world and she left a rich legacy of teaching and programs for more harpers who will use the harp to heal.

Blessings to you Stella for all you gave to us.

O so busy.

It's been a busy, sometimes challenging Spring, but I plan on some posting once I have finished attending a Palliative Care conference this week with the theme of "Heal not Cure" with a focus of establishing a more concerted community effort and organization to provide improved care.

And a photo of the delights of spring.

Joy to you all!

Still here...

It's been a harder winter and Spring than expected and I hope to be a bit more consistent with some postings and updates.

Since I last wrote, both Luna and Lily (our dear rabbits) suffered broken legs a month apart. Lily we had to put down which was hard to do, but we had no choice since the leg could not be repaired and a rabbit needs to move.
Then I found Luna near the rasberry patch all stretched out and she looked okay until she moved and then it appeared her leg was broken. Took her to the vet on Monday morning and the news was that the leg could be fixed, but the minimal fee would start at $1300.
It was a heart wrenching decision, but I decided she would have to be put down as well.
But...the vet made a counter offer: if I gave her up, they would do the surgery and find a place for her!
Easy decision--she had the surger and is doing well.

I am finally getting back to the hospital to play the harp on a irregular basis as whatever medical condition I have continues to wax and wane. But as always, when I am playing at the hospital, my heart and soul rejoices to be able to bring music to one and all.

By the way, have to  "crow" just a bit: a picture of a hummingbird I took is now being used for an ecard at gratefulness.org . You will find it in the New and Seasonal listing for the next month or so.

Speaking of which, here's the picture:

Wishing you all a happy Spring and also may the Morris Men dance for you on May 1st to welcome in May Day. And if there are no Morris Men near by, here's a great video for you....Dance up the Sun.

Joy and Peace!

Another excellent Harp and Instrument maker.

I just added the link for MusicMakers who offer wonderful kits to make harps, hammered dulcimers, and a whole Santa's sleigh of other musical kits, along with fully built instruments as well

My joy with them is due to my purchasing one of the Reverie Harps which I use at our local hospital on the psychiatric unit's recreational therapy group. The harp never fails to bring some peace, wonderment as how it sounds, sometimes tears and mostly delight.

Well worth a visit...go there!

Blessings,

Duncan

A wee bit of Christmas/Yule Music

I finally remembered to update the Harp Music player with some music for the Christmas and Yule season.
May it bring a bit of joy and comfort during this busy time.

Warmly,

Duncan

Excellent article about Music Thanatology.

Here is a link to an article about Music Thanatology in the lastest issue of Spirituality & Health that I think you will find both informative and hopeful in what M-T's (Music Thanatologists) bring to the bedside of those in Palliative Care and in Hospice.

Playing on Heartstrings

As you know, this is dear to my heart and I rejoice when more information is shared, especially in a national magazine.

Stay warm, it's about 5 degrees here between the temperature and the 35-45 mile an hour winds.

Blessings,

Duncan