The Sound of Healing

Yesterday I played for a woman at the request of her sister, who was her caretaker. As I entered the room, I saw the elderly woman lying in bed, her pale face turned toward the window, eyes shut tight. A breathing tube hung across her face, and she was motionless. The sister had heard me next door and wanted me to play "anything" for her elder sister. There was a sense of urgency in her voice, which I have never detected before from encounters with others. She quickly cleared a space in front of the woman so that the woman could "see" me when I played.

I began on the G-string, long notes immediately filled the room with sweet tranquility. I kept my eyes on the frail woman, praying that no note would come out too strong to hurt her. Melodies flow from my violin as I backed away from all control, letting God's healing take its course. Her eyelids moved slightly and involuntarily as her body remained still.

The sister gasped as soon as I started playing, murmuring to herself and shushing the other visitors, who began to talk amongst themselves. She went to the woman's side and held on to her fingers (to avoid touching the IV line), gently brushing away streaks of white hair from her wrinkled forehead. Softly, she called the woman as a mother waking her child, asking repeatedly, "Can you hear the music? Do you see the violinist?"

The melodies lingered on, apparently touching every soul in the room except for the one they were intended for. I woke up from reverie as the last note evaporated in the air and a brief silence ensued. "Beautiful!" The visitors immediately showed their appreciation of the "show". The sister quickly smiled at me and turned to the unconscious woman. "Wasn't that beautiful? Can you say 'beautiful'? Hmm?" Her voice started trembling, "Give me something, please...I'll take anything..."

My guide and I silently exited the room. Perhaps somewhere where none of us can yet go, the woman is already making her own beautiful music. I can almost see her eyes shining brightly with joy.