Last month I wrapped up my time playing at Walter Reed for patients and families. It was truly an honor to share music so I wanted to begin my last day differently. I set up my violin by the nurses’ station to play a song specifically for them. I had no idea how long they had been working that day prior to my arrival. Perhaps the last few hours of a 12-hour shift? I don’t know but when one of the nurses asked if I could play for him I didn’t hesitate to ask which song he’d like to hear. As I readied my violin a woman came from around the corner asking if I played in individual rooms and if I could come play for her Dad. She briefly shared that his father used to play the fiddle and give concerts for family and friends. I smiled and said I’d make my way.

I played Ave Maria by the nurses’ station and saw a few heads poke out of different rooms. While the nurses worked I saw people slowly make their way to the station to listen while putting a pause on the various questions they may have wanted to ask the nurses. After I finished the song, I went to the rooms of patients to play and spotted the woman from before. She ushered me into a room full of people. The woman exclaimed that I was here and told her Dad that she had a surprised for him. I looked around and had a hard time counting the number of people visiting her Dad. I introduced myself and saw family members eager to listen and wanting to record on their phones so I made a point in saying to please feel free to record and share with family and friends. I played one song after another to hear different family members sing along to Somewhere Over the Rainbow as their Dad quietly smiled from his bed and watched as I played. I finished the music and thanked everyone for my time while giving one of the daughters my card.

A few days ago, I received a phone call from one of the daughters explaining that her father had passed away and prior to passing had arranged with his family to request if I could play at the funeral. The family asked if I could perform a Hymn with the Organist and Home on the Range. I was initially baffled honestly. Why me? But I’ve learned that sometimes God puts you where you need to be so I didn’t ask questions and said of course.

At the funeral, I sat to play as people came for the gathering prior to the service. While I played, the Organist introduced herself as she arrived so I rehearsed the hymn Abide With Me by the Organ and somehow ended playing through countless hymns with her and songs in an Organ book. As the service waited for my time to play Home on the Range at the end. At that time, the room became still and quiet. The organist gave me the signal and I stood to play Home on the Range one final time. It took me back to the time I performed Edelweiss for the patient I met in Hospice. When I finished, I heard one of the daughters exhale deeply and say thank you.

During the dinner, I still had the question lingering in my head. Why me? One of the daughters sat by me and shared that she played the video recording from that day in the hospital over and over again for her Dad. When he no longer responded verbally, she played the video and he would lift his hands playing the air violin. My heart hurt but I smiled. I was thankful to be at the hospital that very day to play.

Before I left the family said they would never forget me and thanked me again for fulfilling their Father’s request. I am grateful God continues to use me in the most amazing of ways and I hope I continue to grow in humility and skill.

Last month I wrapped up my time playing at Walter Reed for patients and families. It was truly an honor to share music so I wanted to begin my last day differently. I set up my violin by the nurses’ station to play a song specifically for them. I had no idea how long they had been working that day prior to my arrival. Perhaps the last few hours of a 12-hour shift? I don’t know but when one of the nurses asked if I could play for him I didn’t hesitate to ask which song he’d like to hear. As I readied my violin a woman came from around the corner asking if I played in individual rooms and if I could come play for her Dad. She briefly shared that his father used to play the fiddle and give concerts for family and friends. I smiled and said I’d make my way.

I played Ave Maria by the nurses’ station and saw a few heads poke out of different rooms. While the nurses worked I saw people slowly make their way to the station to listen while putting a pause on the various questions they may have wanted to ask the nurses. After I finished the song, I went to the rooms of patients to play and spotted the woman from before. She ushered me into a room full of people. The woman exclaimed that I was here and told her Dad that she had a surprised for him. I looked around and had a hard time counting the number of people visiting her Dad. I introduced myself and saw family members eager to listen and wanting to record on their phones so I made a point in saying to please feel free to record and share with family and friends. I played one song after another to hear different family members sing along to Somewhere Over the Rainbow as their Dad quietly smiled from his bed and watched as I played. I finished the music and thanked everyone for my time while giving one of the daughters my card.

A few days ago, I received a phone call from one of the daughters explaining that her father had passed away and prior to passing had arranged with his family to request if I could play at the funeral. The family asked if I could perform a Hymn with the Organist and Home on the Range. I was initially baffled honestly. Why me? But I’ve learned that sometimes God puts you where you need to be so I didn’t ask questions and said of course.

At the funeral, I sat to play as people came for the gathering prior to the service. While I played, the Organist introduced herself as she arrived so I rehearsed the hymn Abide With Me by the Organ and somehow ended playing through countless hymns with her and songs in an Organ book. As the service waited for my time to play Home on the Range at the end. At that time, the room became still and quiet. The organist gave me the signal and I stood to play Home on the Range one final time. It took me back to the time I performed Edelweiss for the patient I met in Hospice. When I finished, I heard one of the daughters exhale deeply and say thank you.

During the dinner, I still had the question lingering in my head. Why me? One of the daughters sat by me and shared that she played the video recording from that day in the hospital over and over again for her Dad. When he no longer responded verbally, she played the video and he would lift his hands playing the air violin. My heart hurt but I smiled. I was thankful to be at the hospital that very day to play.

Before I left the family said they would never forget me and thanked me again for fulfilling their Father’s request. I am grateful God continues to use me in the most amazing of ways and I hope I continue to grow in humility and skill.

Last month I wrapped up my time playing at Walter Reed for patients and families. It was truly an honor to share music so I wanted to begin my last day differently. I set up my violin by the nurses’ station to play a song specifically for them. I had no idea how long they had been working that day prior to my arrival. Perhaps the last few hours of a 12-hour shift? I don’t know but when one of the nurses asked if I could play for him I didn’t hesitate to ask which song he’d like to hear. As I readied my violin a woman came from around the corner asking if I played in individual rooms and if I could come play for her Dad. She briefly shared that his father used to play the fiddle and give concerts for family and friends. I smiled and said I’d make my way.

I played Ave Maria by the nurses’ station and saw a few heads poke out of different rooms. While the nurses worked I saw people slowly make their way to the station to listen while putting a pause on the various questions they may have wanted to ask the nurses. After I finished the song, I went to the rooms of patients to play and spotted the woman from before. She ushered me into a room full of people. The woman exclaimed that I was here and told her Dad that she had a surprised for him. I looked around and had a hard time counting the number of people visiting her Dad. I introduced myself and saw family members eager to listen and wanting to record on their phones so I made a point in saying to please feel free to record and share with family and friends. I played one song after another to hear different family members sing along to Somewhere Over the Rainbow as their Dad quietly smiled from his bed and watched as I played. I finished the music and thanked everyone for my time while giving one of the daughters my card.

A few days ago, I received a phone call from one of the daughters explaining that her father had passed away and prior to passing had arranged with his family to request if I could play at the funeral. The family asked if I could perform a Hymn with the Organist and Home on the Range. I was initially baffled honestly. Why me? But I’ve learned that sometimes God puts you where you need to be so I didn’t ask questions and said of course.

At the funeral, I sat to play as people came for the gathering prior to the service. While I played, the Organist introduced herself as she arrived so I rehearsed the hymn Abide With Me by the Organ and somehow ended playing through countless hymns with her and songs in an Organ book. As the service began, I waited for my time to play Home on the Range at the end. At that time, the room became still and quiet. The organist gave me the signal and I stood to play Home on the Range one final time. It took me back to the time I performed Edelweiss for the patient I met in Hospice. When I finished, I heard one of the daughters exhale deeply and say thank you.

During the dinner, I still had the question lingering in my head. Why me? One of the daughters sat by me and shared that she played the video recording from that day in the hospital over and over again for her Dad. When he no longer responded verbally, she played the video and he would lift his hands playing the air violin. My heart hurt but I smiled. I was thankful to be at the hospital that very day to play.

Before I left, the family said they would never forget me and thanked me again for fulfilling their Father’s request. I am grateful God continues to use me in the most amazing of ways and I hope I continue to grow in humility and skill.