When I asked Brian to share what nursing home ministry and music have meant to him over the years, he shared this story with me.
"One of the most memorable things was being asked to come sing for a lady who was near the end of her journey. She had always wanted to go to Graceland but never got to."
"Her family asked me to come sing for her, and she passed while I was singing."
"Her whole family was there. When they started grieving, I just quietly slipped out. Her granddaughter came chasing me down the hall trying to pay me, and I told her, 'I can't take your money. Go back and be with your family.'"
"It was pretty heavy, but she said it was probably how her grandma would have wanted it."
Brian also shared something that really stayed with me:
"It's a big responsibility when you're dealing with people's emotions and memories during the last stage of their lives, but I try to keep it light and cheerful."
This story reminded me of something powerful.
Sometimes comfort looks different than we expect.
Sometimes it looks like medicine.
Sometimes it looks like family gathered close.
And sometimes, it sounds like Elvis playing softly as someone takes their final journey.