- I'm a volunteer pianist dedicated to bringing music to residents of retirement communities, assisted living centers, and memory-care facilities. Stories unfold around me when I play. I tell those stories here.
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Category Archives: Death
I believe that children are our future
That’s the advice of a 9-yr-old boy named Tate, who decided to spend his summer volunteering at his grandpa’s senior center instead of going to camp. Here’s a short video about his experience. It starts with a few words from … Continue reading
There’s something about a uniform
Joining the Navy when you suffer from motion sickness is perhaps not the smartest move. Yet at age 16, that’s exactly what Raymond did. And the experience shaped his life. The week before Christmas, I played the piano at Ray’s … Continue reading
Every breath you take
In October 2014, my mother spent the last eight days of her life in a beautiful South Carolina hospice facility. My daughter and I were there with her, witnessing the closing act of her nearly 82 years. A stream of … Continue reading
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Last month, in the middle of a typical cold, dark January, we had a sunny day. That’s a noteworthy event in mid-Michigan. The mood in the assisted living facility I visited that afternoon matched the weather: bright and happy. Neither … Continue reading
Volunteer Pianist 