To the Music Therapists Who Sang My Daughter to Sleep,
My 2 year-old daughter was in rehab in the Neuro Trauma unit of Primary Children's Hospital recovering from a very serious illness which had affected her brain. It was early September, 2014.
I was excited for you to come! I love music, and believe in it's power to help other's heal and stimulate development. You came prepared with your guitar and gave my daughter instruments to play along to fun songs designed to help her recovery. Her participation was minimal and it soon became clear that she was too tired to cooperate, and how do you persuade a struggling toddler? Wanting to help in any way you could, you offered to sing her to sleep.
"Are there any songs she likes to fall asleep to?" You asked.
"Do you know any primary songs?" I replied
In my church we use primary songs to teach children about Jesus Christ and God's plan. I don't think you were members of my church, but you did know one song - "I Am A Child Of God." You began to play. I sat there on the bed of the hospital room cradling my daughter, rocking her like a newborn, and I sang along.
"I am a child of God
and He has sent me here;
has given me an earthly home
with parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me.
Walk beside me.
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
to live with Him someday."
I began the second verse; "I am a child of God, and so my needs are great." That line was all I could manage before the sobs came. I was overcome with thoughts of the great needs of my beautiful daughter, struggling to recover from this serious illness at such a young age. God had given her to me and it was my responsibility to take care of those needs. I thought of my own great needs as I was also struggling through this very difficult time. I thought of all the people God had sent to me to help me with those great needs - including the two of you.
You continued to play and hum along to the sound of my sobs. You respected my pain and sustained me with your heavenly tune. Your music brought such great comfort as I felt the love of the Lord for me and my daughter. My weeping was an essential release, a way to remove some of the stress that had burdened me for so long. Your beautiful music made that possible.
I believe that music can bring peace, hope, and healing in a most beautiful and powerful way. It connects us to those around us and reminds us that we are not alone in our emotions. Your music did that for me.
Thank you, for helping in any way you could.
Thank you, for using your amazing talents to benefit those who truly need it.
Thank you, for knowing the song which meant so much to me.
Thank you, for respecting the struggles of me and my daughter.
Thank you, for facilitating that therapeutic release of pent up stress.
Thank you, for finding the beauty in my pain and struggle.
Thank you, for sharing your love with me, and reminding me of the love of God, family, and friends.
I still weep when I think of this powerful experience. You cannot know the effect it has had on me, or the effect you have on all those you work with. My daughter probably doesn't remember you (I don't think she remembers anything from her time in the hospital) but I will never forget the power you gave me.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melodie, the weeping mother.
