Stories from the Harp
Knowing that I have brought a little peace, joy and tranquility to those most vulnerable is such a blessing and I feel incredibly gracious contributing this work of my heart. Please take a moment as I share my journey of some memorable moments with babies and children, in palliative care, aged care, retreats and also funerals.
Children Heart Stories
- When I played at the Royal Children’s hospital, I would set up in Main street, with my harp amplified so that the sacred sounds would travel thru the building for all to hear and for all to witness as they walked passed: staff, children and their families, and Doctors. Children were always intrigued and would be drawn to the harp – as if they could hear angels and fairies. So many wonderful memories of children playing with me – free spirits that just wanted to tinker on the harp – deaf children, blind children, frail and vulnerable children. How gorgeous is that!
- A mother saying that what I was doing with her autistic son was more beneficial than morphine- and changed her son’s appointments to coincide with my visits…
- A gorgeous young girl who once played piano from a young age and had not done so for years due to her condition. I will never forget the look on her face as she played the harp, her heart was elated and I knew somehow, it was soothing her soul…
- Often, little children visiting their families in hospital would be drawn to the harp and play with me – teaching little ones ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ - somehow bringing them a bit of joy and the biggest smiles on their faces!
- A teenage girl, depressed knowing that she was terminally ill, found some strength and happiness. Her mood had shifted just playing with me and realising there was still some light and hope…
- Christmas Day, visiting a patient in Oncology who had her two young children visiting her. What joy it brought to my heart that I could put a smile on their face – and the little gift this was for the mother.
Baby Heart Stories
I love to work with babies. I’ve been honoured to play for some babies, fresh out of the womb, giving them a beautiful early experience of the world.
- Others are critically ill, some are premies and some are born addicts. There is nothing I can do about their condition other than bring some healing for whatever the outcome. When I work with babies, I don’t feel their pain, I feel their soul and if I can bring some peace to them on their journey, it brings such joy to my heart.
- As I sat playing one day in a hospital, a women sat directly opposite me, in a full burka, watching intensely. Then another man wondering around, also watching as if he had seen a ghost and then he asked “Where did you learn to play like that? You are from Babylon”! then the women spoke up and said “He is right. I have been here every day for the last 4 months watching my baby dying. Today you have soothed my soul”.
- Twins born and playing to them with my harp strings, bringing love and blessings to them as they awakened with the happiest mum alive.
- Premies, so fragile yet loving the tender sounds emanating from the harp, watching them respond to the delicate sounds, giving them a sense of heaven on earth.
- A baby born as an addict on methadone in the first few weeks of life. A sad story yet a reality, knowing that what was coming thru me was there to bring divine love.
Ritual & Retreat Heart Stories
When a friend was pregnant, she arranged a ‘baby blessing’ and invited me to play ‘blessings with the harp’. So gorgeous to play for friends and connect with a bundle of joy, celebrating love and gratitude before entering the world.
Hospitals and Hospices Heart Stories
I’ve experienced so many expressions of trauma and terminal illness; some in denial, some surrendered. Whatever is felt, it is a critical time of life where one must sit with present. So much gratitude for the comfort and sense of tranquility whilst one is called to resolve, forgive all and most of all, love oneself.
A Priest that had been ex- communicated and felt so alone. He finally broke down crying and released pent up pain and regret that he had been carrying for many years. A week later he passed knowing that irrespective of circumstances, he was not alone. This was my ultimate test of compassion.
- Women in chemotherapy, anxious and not knowing what to expect. Crying with them as a release of all the anxiety they have gone thru. Feeling comforted by the harp strings as they undergo treatment and just sharing our souls.
- Gorgeous young girls, of whom I’ve met a few in Oncology. Not understanding why, they were dying and feeling guilt and shame. Sitting there and hearing their journey and connecting at a soul level.
- A deaf woman, so excited to see me walking around the hospital ringing bells and then playing the harp. I sat with her and watched the joy in her face as she non verbally expressed to me that she could not hear me playing but she could feel it thru her body. Her partner who was 80% deaf expressed deep gratitude for the gift my presence had brought his partner, comforting her as she transitioned.
- In palliative care, I’ve had so many experiences close to death where without words, people communicate with me and I know they feel a sense of support. When I leave their bed, I’ve often felt that they have let go and surrendered to dying but with a little more serenity.
- An 18 year old, with a fragile pregnancy for the second time, in fear that she will lose this one too. They will not induce in case the baby survives - even though it only has one lung, one kidney and the heart on the wrong side of the body. The harp is my gift from the heart that allows me to sit and bring solice to such vulnerable young women.
A Priest that had been ex- communicated and felt so alone. He finally broke down crying and released pent up pain and regret that he had been carrying for many years. A week later he passed knowing that irrespective of circumstances, he was not alone. This was my ultimate test of compassion.
Heart Stories in High Care and Dementia
Visiting the same residents on a regular basis is fab as I share their journey with them. Often they tell me the same stories, yet they love sitting with me and sharing as I tinker on the harp aS we connect at a soul level.
- A dear resident once said to me they loved me visiting as I was not family nor staff and it was like a gift from heaven bringing some life to their world. “I don’t know what it is about you Janet but after being with you, I always feel so much better “.
- Watching residents deteriorate. Sitting with them as they lay helpless, looking into their eyes and it’s almost as if it gives them a sense that everything will be alright. I watch so many times as residents let go of fear and pain….
- A beautiful autistic man who has been in a nursing home for some 16 years with his elderly mother, who recently passed away. He was always curious about the harp yet never spoke. For several months now he has tinkered on the harp with me and recently, we have all noticed the excitement in his face when he hears the sounds ….
- Families often comment on the serenity it brings their loved ones and them as I play to them. Often, it has been so touching, that they cry and shed their pain and as they do, they let go and come closer to accepting and having gratitude to have shared these last moments…
- Observing the shift in residents with end stage dementia. I don’t play a concert, I play in them, sitting with them or on their bed and allowing whatever notes are needed to bring a sense of calmness. I’ve seen people come back to consciousness – opening their eyes, suddenly hearing me and seeing me. What a joy to witness!
Heart Stories from Funerals
- Much to my surprise, I was once told by a Nursing Director that I looked too Angelic for a hospital and by connecting with patients dying, I was interfering with their death process! As you can imagine, I was devastated… Instead of defending myself, I chose to feel compassion for this person who had a different understanding of the death process. On the same day, a lovely lady who was dying of lung cancer left me a note, expressing her gratitude for the peace I had given her in her last few weeks, so much so that she requested I play at her funeral. I chose to listen to this expression of gratitude, trusting that I was being divinely guided on this path – and of course, I was honored to play at her funeral….
- Playing at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne was such an honor. Trusting that whatever was coming through me was orchestrated from another realm. Deep gratitude to the Dean of Melbourne, for trusting my work…
- At a funeral, three sons of a women, vulnerable and all expressed deep gratitude to me for the soothing of their mother’s soul whilst in hospital. As they carried her coffin, I felt compelled to walk directly behind, playing into the coffin with divine love… so beautiful to experience.
- Supporting a family with the death of their mother. Being there for them all and responding to their needs – releasing of trauma. Also, directing them to services to support them all thru the death process and funeral arrangements.