I would have never guessed...

This morning when I woke up and got ready for another day at internship, I thought about music. I ran through the quickly becoming memorized songs in my mind. I sang "Paper Moon" as I showered, reviewing the Dm and Cm7 chords in my head. As I drove I thought about "Chatanooga Choo Choo" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"... and how I need to learn more Frank Sinatra.

As we drove to Elgin to meet an imminent patient, who had just signed up for hospice, I thought about creating an environment that would be comforting and peaceful for someone who may die while we were there. As we read over her chart before going into her room I read "90 years old" and preped for my favorites "All of Me" or "Sentimental Journey". I never would have guessed that when her daughters talked about her that she would be described as being someone who while ironing her clothes "jammed" to Van Morrison. Someone who introduced her daughters and even granddaughters to The Doors. We were informed that her new favorite song is "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy".

We talked with the family for a while. Then played a few things... "Proud Mary", a few Beatles songs, as we sang "Brown Eyed Girl" I held the patients hand, stroked her hair, and sang close to her ear (she had lost a lot of hearing previously). Then in between songs I looked up "Save a Horse..." on my blackberry

** Thank you technology**

My supervisor looked at me and asked, "Do you know it?"

"You bet!" I replied.

**Thank goodness I went to Monmouth College (ie: cornfields) and fell in love with country music**

It's actually pretty easy to play on the guitar as long as you can get the strum going - basically it's just a whole lot of fun. The patient's daughter got right up close to her mom and we both sang to her. Full volume, truly "rocking out".

By the end of the song the patient had opened her eyes, her brow unfurrowed, she looked much more comfortable and at ease, and her daughter reported that she had squeezed her hand. We decided to end on a positive note... AND the nurse came in pretty directly after (likely wondering what the hell was going on). I can only imagine what anyone walking by thought! I felt like a crazy person real music therapist. This was what it was all about! Making the patient and their family the experts in their own care and meeting them where they are.As we said goodbye, the daughters (through their tears) could not say enough...

"This is the most relaxed she's been!"

"I know she heard that!"

"That was amazing, she hasn't been awake at all today."

"I hope you can come back"

"Thank you"

After I returned to my car, I shot of a few texts of disbelief to my Mom and Dad.

"I didn't know you knew how to play that song" they texted back.

"Neither did I"

When I woke up this morning I knew which songs I could play for clients. I knew the generalizations we make about people's preferred music and I could go from there. I knew we would enter people's lives and share with them our talent. I knew I would be doing something I loved and hoped would change someone's situation.

I NEVER would have guessed that the songs I knew and the generalizations I made would be thrown out the window and yet I could still do my job successfully.

Cheer's Big and Rich - you're music is truly enjoyed by all generations.