Musical Reflections

A great joy for me is to speak and play the harp. And this month, I am honored to connect with three different groups:

• April 12 – the St. Paul chapter of The Compassionate Friends monthly meeting. “Sounds of Healing: Using Music in the Grief Journey,” Beaver Lake Lutheran Church, 2280 Stillwater Ave., Maplewood, MN, 7 p.m.
• April 16 -  Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care annual conference. “Sounds of Healing: Music and the Caregiving Journey,” Airport Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, MN, 10:45 a.m.
• April 28 – South Dakota Parkinson’s Association annual conference at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. 

Parkinson’s is “near and dear” to my heart – I lost an Uncle to Parkinson’s and my beloved Dad is currently journeying with it. Click here if you’d like more information about my presentation on this topic.

Do you need an in-service for your staff or a Healing Harp Concert at your location/conference? I love to share my message and music with groups. At each presentation, I bring:

• my harp.
• poignant moments, practical tips and peace.
• new ideas about using therapeutic music with intention.
• an inspirational message and immediate application.

If you are interested in having me conduct a presentation at your location, I welcome these opportunities. Click here for more information. I look forward to working together!

One of my great joys is to take a road trip with my harp. Over the summer, I went to Madison and Milwaukee, WI, and Chicago, IL … it was a mix of concerts, conferences, retreats and educational sessions. One of the women I stayed with took me to a fun coffee shop and the photo above is how my drink was served to me – with a heart and flower!!  What a great example of being creative, caring about customers, adding beauty in a unique way and paying special attention to details. Loved every minute!!

I am excited to return to the state where I grew up (Missouri) for the Westberg Parish Nursing Symposium in St. Louis, September 16-18.

I will be leading a worship service on September 17 at 8:30 a.m. and also doing a break-out session on September 17 at 1:00 p.m. entitled “Sounds of Healing: Using Music in Your Healing Ministry.”

This is a special year celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Granger Westberg’s initial vision for parish nurses, faith-community nurses and health ministers.

Come join us if you feel called to attend…

I was introduced to Dr. Jean Watson’s work several years ago. She is a nurse researcher with a focused interest on caring. Dr. Watson is a national speaker and has conducted numerous research studies on this topic of caring in the healthcare environment.

In honor of Nurses Week, Dr. Watson will be speaking at Woodwinds Hospital/HealthEast Care System. I will have an opportunity to play at an opening reception for her on May 24, as well as do a one-hour presentation on May 25 during her visit to Woodbury, MN.  What an honor to be a part of this special time with a woman I admire so much!

I’ve had the opportunity to speak and play at the Mayo Clinic numerous times. They host many national conferences each year and to be included on their speaking roster is always an honor at this world-class facility in my “back yard.”

Befriending some of the Mayo staff has also been very fun and mutually rewarding. From these relationships, I was introduced to Lisa Van Getson, the owner of Hermitage Farm in Rochester, MN. She hosts all kinds of unique and interesting programming at her retreat center. I’ll be conducting a Healing Harp Concert on April 19 from 7-9 p.m.  The community is invited; contact Lisa at 507-281-2791 for more information.