The night my father died, we gathered around his bedside and played and sang his favorite hymns. Our hospice nurse explained that hearing is the last sense to leave a dying person, and that she believed he could hear and process the music, even though he was "non-responsive."  The next day, after he had passed away later that evening, the nurse called to see how I was doing, and shared that she thought the music had been a wonderful gift to my dad on his final journey home. She remarked that she wished every family had an opportunity to do that for their loved one.

Out of that conversation, this music was born. I worked with the hospice staff and chaplain at Montgomery Hospice over the next six months to identify appropriate music, and to record it, as a way to honor my father's memory and to thank the hospice nurses who cared for our entire family. Where there was no music already written, I wrote it myself. We have created a series of songs and instrumental pieces with the album "Gentle the Journey," to minister to those coping with grief, loss, and caregiving. In this project, we have been blessed to receive the love, support, and help of many local musicians and pastors met through years of singing and playing in church bands and choirs. Click on "The Music" on the homepage to learn more about this music and those who helped to create it. 

I want to thank everyone who had anything to do with these efforts, but particularly the hospice caregivers at Montgomery Hospice, as well as the compassionate staff and chaplains there. Also,those who gave me technical assistance with recording and producing: J.P. Marple, Andrew Ammons, Tom and Becki Price, Todd Culbertson, and Ann Bartlow: It takes a village! Thanks also to my mom as well, without whose support this would definitely not have happened. I want to also thank my cousins Debbie and Ron, for being such stalwart supporters during those difficult times. Many thanks to Ulf Wallin, Jaqui Crocetta, and Eric Anderson for photography, design services, and listening ears, and  for their steadfast and loyal support. Also special thanks to the following pastors, for their support and encouragement:

Rev. Rick Andrews and  Rev. Martha Maxham, Mill Creek Parish UMC, Derwood, MD
Rev. Judy Young, Washington Grove UMC, Derwood, MD
Rev. Dick Stetler, St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Bowie, MD
Rev. Phil Rider, Montgomery Hospice, Rockville, MD
Rev. Martha Brown, Director of Pastoral Care, Asbury Methodist Village, Gaithersburg, MD

Blessings,

Lisa Cole