It’s not hard to find sacred moments at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House, but to have the opportunity to step into the light of a patient’s life is extraordinary. Getting to know a patient and learn about their life is not an everyday occurrence, but rather something that is random and rare. The patient in each room has a history and many life stories that remain unshared with a volunteer because they are in a stage of transition and often asleep.
One wonderful exception is Jere, a lady with an extraordinary life experience that she readily shares. Her open presence welcomes you when you enter her room. She is a good listener but is also ready to open up with snippets of her life, that are often laced with wisdom and important insights. You can see that she is beautiful, but Jere is also very bright, which includes all of the definitions of that word.
Recently, I enjoyed attending a Swan Songs concert for Jere at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House where I serve as a volunteer. Swan Songs is an organization that has been around a long time, their mission is to organize intimate, personalized, free concerts for individuals who are terminally ill or nearing the end of life.
These concerts can take place in a home or a healthcare facility. Over several weeks of enjoying meaningful conversations with Jere, I understood that the gathering would be something special. Not surprisingly Jere wanted Swan Songs to bring a happy festive vibe, a party of sorts…and I have to say it truly was a party!!
The word fun doesn’t come to mind when you think of a hospice setting, but Jere has demonstrated an amazing “L’art de vivre” (the art of living) attitude of positivity, which in this case showcased her love of Cuban music. The room was filled with family and friends, along with staff that spilled out into the hall smiling and swaying to the music.
The Swan Songs volunteer musicians did a wonderful job of being truly present. They enthusiastically shared their loving energy through their musical talents and a genuine commitment to the patient and all the people who came to celebrate. The concert was just an hour but the love and light that filled the room was something very special and will remain in the hearts of many.
This story was written by Tia McCurdy, who volunteers at Hospice Ausitn’s Christopher House.