This was in my inbox today and I know it will touch many of you.
Angel of Music
By Myrarose Harmon
Maria was the Director of Nursing at Calvary Hospital in New York City - a
hospital dedicated to patients who had been stricken by cancer. Maria was
my Aunt. It was here that the vision began - a vision that would become the
guiding force of my dreams. I wanted to make a positive difference in the
world through music.
Maria had asked me to sing to the patients on a Friday night. My sister,
Adriana, and both of my cousins, Alina and Ruben, were my "back-up" singers.
We had worked hard putting together a repertoire of happy songs.
As we entered the hospital, I became agitated and uncomfortable because of
the sadness that surrounded us. Most of the visiting family members wore
frowns on their faces, others had tears in their eyes.
We were escorted to a room where many of the patients had already gathered
to hear us perform. As a youngster, I remembered saying to myself, Cancer
is a very mean disease. Oxygen tanks and other machines were attached to
patients. To my immature mind, it seemed like something from a science
fiction movie. My sister and cousins were having a tough time too. We all
felt out of place.
All of a sudden, a nurse walked in, pushing what appeared to be an older
man - his face covered with bandages. She placed his wheelchair directly in
front of us, and all I could see were two large, very sad looking hazel
eyes.
At this point, I decided it would be inappropriate for us to sing happy
songs about life and love. I felt this would show a lack of respect and
sensitivity to the patients that were obviously suffering.
The four of us agreed, so I went looking for Maria to tell her we wouldn't
be performing. I said, "Maria, we can't sing. The people here are so
unhappy, they might feel like we are insensitive if we performed our songs."
Maria looked at me, smiled, and said, "This is precisely why I asked you to
come and perform. The residents have been looking forward to this night for
weeks. Please don't disappoint them. Just sing with your heart, as you
always do, and they will receive your songs with love."
Deep down, I knew she was right. So I took a deep breath, went back to my
family of singers and said, "Let's do it guys."
As we began singing, the gentleman with the hazel eyes looked straight at
us. As I sang our first number, entitled "Love," I recognized the man. I
smiled at him and he smiled back. When the song was over, I stepped off the
stage and gave him a hug.
His name was Angel. He had moved to the United States from Spain as a young
man. Ironically, he too was a musician. After I discovered he had no
family of his own, I appointed myself a member.
Sitting by his hospital bed, one year later, Angel asked me to sing. As I
began singing the theme song from "The Sound of Music," my voice quivered.
New York's relentless thunder and rain storms, that had lasted for days,
suddenly stopped. Then I noticed that Angel looked very pale. His hands
grew cold and dusky, and he could no longer hold onto my hand. I knew that
Angel wasn't listening any longer.
Maria had been standing quietly in the back of the room, unnoticed until
that moment. She walked over to Angel's bed and closed his eyes with two
gentle strokes of her fingers. Then Maria held me as I cried.
Days before he died, Angel left a note with Maria, instructing her to see
that I received it.
Myrarose,
When I close my eyes, please be happy for me,
for I am free once again to be who I really am.
My death means that I am free of this disease.
You have been my angel through it all. My closest
family, my closest friend, my "Angel of Music."
I will always be right next to you. Sing always,
for I will make sure your voice is heard by many
whose hearts need your spirit of love and caring.
I love you little girl.
Your friend and audience forever,
Angel Raphael
Angel is gone, but he will always be with me-in my heart and in my songs.
Although he often referred to me as his "Angel of Music," the truth is, he
will always be mine.
Reprinted by permission of Myrarose Harmon © 2001 from Chicken Soup for the
Volunteer Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Arline Oberst, Tom
Lagana, Laura Lagana, and John Boal. In order to protect the rights of the
copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without
prior written consent. All rights reserved.
PJ.
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