Posted by Common Tater on Friday, October 30, 2015
I work (in my retirement) for a hospice and take spearhead Goodtime in a gig bag with me in the trunk of the car. Some of my patients find that music relaxes them and takes them to a more enjoyable time in their lives. Ruth is one of them.
This morning, I learned that Ruth had a change in condition and was struggling to breathe e.g. breathing with her whole body. I was scheduled to see her today and figured that she would have other things to worry about so I left the Goodtime in the trunk. Stupid me. As soon as she saw me, she managed one breathy word: "banjo".
After fetching the Goodtime, I played a lot of songs from her childhood: Little Red Wagon, She'll Be Comin Round The Mountain, etc.. When I re-tuned to G Minor and started a gentle Clawhammer of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, a smile decorated Ruth's face and it didn't fade when I switched to an even slower two-finger on the same hymn.
As I write this, Ruth is still on this earth and on continuous RN presence for respiratory distress. The banjo probably didn't keep her alive but it did make her more peaceful and comfortable as she clutches her stuffed dog, "Ranger", as she awaits her chance to personally sing the last line of the hymn to the Lord: "Alleluia, Lord most high".
Ks_5-picker Says:
Friday, October 30, 2015 @4:02:15 PM
Best time in the world for a string of gospel tunes. ;)
Ks_5-picker Says:
Friday, October 30, 2015 @4:02:39 PM
Oh........good job!
C Nyal de Kaye Says:
Friday, October 30, 2015 @5:01:18 PM
A lovely story Frank, thank you. I like the line "as she awaits her chance to personally sing the last line of the hymn to the Lord: "Alleluia, Lord most high". What a day that will be for her and for all who love the Lord.
countryman99 Says:
Saturday, October 31, 2015 @5:53:44 AM
Bless you Frank, That banjo sound must have must have been like a breath of fresh air to Ruth, an adrenaline rush
to the lungs. I know from personal experience [copd and asthma,] the feeling of not being able to coax enough air
into the lungs. It is akin to drowning.........slowly.
Fortunately, by the grace of God, surgical intervention and medication I have the sheer luxury of now taking a full breath. For which I am truly thankful.
It is my sincere wish that Ruth will experience the same relief.
God Bless.
Mac.
Banjov1 Says:
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 @10:07:10 AM
Can't like this enough... I frequently play at a senior center near my neighborhood and it's amazing to see the transformation of the room as we enter with 5 or 6 elderly people in seemingly catatonic states to bright eyes, smiles and even a little small step stand up and dancing as we play.
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