Caring – Prayers and Well Wishes
So often, we or our loved ones, go through difficult times and need that bit of extra help sent our way. This is our prayer and special energy gift list – a place where you can ask to hold or be held in our weekly Sunday harp playing of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. For over 12 years now, we come together as a group of harpists to play this song when anyone in our IHTP family is going through tough times. Please scroll down to ask us to play for you on this coming Sunday.
From Christina – I thank you all for the well wishes and prayers during the past couple months of my mother’s transition – Ruth Hersey Cooper. I have moved her information over to this site: The Melody Lingers – Music and Aging (click to go or it is under NEWSLETTER on this site). There is information there about various ways we can help the Aging through music as well as a link to Don Campbell and Alex Doman’s book: Healing At the Speed of Sound. I have also included a clip of a song that mother and I sang just before she went to Hospice – it is a beautiful song that my grandmother used to play on the piano every night before we went to bed – Sing Me To Sleep. Blessings.
~ ~ The Inspiration behind the IHTP ~ ~ Ruth Marcelyn Hersey Cooper
Please add the following people to you Sunday playing and prayer/meditation list:
William Hart McNichols
Yoshiko Sato’s mother and family
Bethany Soh (Khng) and her mother who is in the hospital
Carolyn Worster
Carol Johnson
David Eastoe and Helen, David’s father
Alice, Bill and Claire Guggenheim
Cheryl and Joshua Kissling
Annie Silvestre
Don Campbell
Dearest Tina,
Your love and support meant so much to me in October and I just want you to know that you are loved and I am keeping a candle lit for you and your family and all those you love. I shall play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” daily with you in mind. Peace Be With You as you heal and are healed!
Peace, Tinky
It does appear that several people are choosing the present as a time to cross over rather quickly. Two of my friends were diagnosed with colon cancer and kidney failure from diabetes in February and both died within two weeks of their diagnosis. Such wonderful people are gone so suddenly. My thoughts, prayers, intentions, and music are with our friends from IHTP and from the rest of our lives and with their families during this difficult time. We will all be reunited again when it is our turn to pass over. Aloha – Until we meet again…
Dear Christina, Don, and all,
Sending love, prayers, and peace.
Love,
Jennifer
Hi Tina
Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and in my music. It seems we’re all going through a period of loss and grieving. I’ve just lost two dear friends and have two more who are dying.
Peace and love, Fran
Dear Christina,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I go into the hospital tomorrow for shoulder replacement surgery. My dad is in the same state as your mother and my son in Amsterdam
has an autoimmune disease that has not been diagnosed
but only at testing stage. Lots of love from me and my harp.
Jo Ann Philpot
Dear Tina,
May the Light surround you, your Mother, family and friends. May you find support and comfort within its glow. I pray God will do what is best for your Mother and you.
Love and blessings,
Kate
Dear Christina
what a great spirit your mother has – to keep up her spirit -
so I sent you a bright sunbeam
for yourself
and for your mother
to keep up keeping your spirit bright
whatever is happening!
much love and strength for this time Christina
warm love
Irene
Dear Don, may you feel the love of God surround you as you are going through this difficult time. May you feel His Peace and the care, love and support of all your many friends and the people whose lives you have touched. You are in my prayers. Carla
Dear Tina, Thank you so much for sharing all with us, your harp family. We are all so well aware of how much you have given, and continue to give, and care for all those who call on you. Now is the time for you to receive the same back. Please know that you and Ruth are in my thoughts and prayers. May God’s peace and love surround you and may Ruth experience full healing. With love Carla
Dear Tina and Ruth,
Please know that I am thinking of you and sending lots of love and music your way for comfort, healing, ease and grace in this situation. Thank you both so much for all the love and healing you have given this world through your music and your love of the harp. I have been playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for you both many times, and will continue….Peace to you both, Linda Hill-Phoenix
Dear Christina and Ruth,
I am sending you prayers of love, light and healing.
You have given humanity such gifts of love and hope and inspiration with your harp playing, and with the creation of the IHTP to train others in this work.
The photos of you both are beautiful, and the love between you is inspirational. I feel so priviledged to know you and to be part of the IHTP family.
May peace and the presence of God be with you.
Love Rhonda
Dear Christina,
Your sharing is so touching and sincere. Yes, life is about up and down that makes itself special. I truly wish you and your mother a peaceful mind. Your photos are lovely. Ruth is so beautiful!!!Please take good care of yourself as well. I will keep you and Ruth in my prayers. Share with us if any news update, please. I am pleased that we have a warm group that we could share laughter, worries and sorrows with each other no matter how far we live. Thanks Tina.
Ka Man
I love this poem. I hope it has something for you, too.
God Speaks
God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
Then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
Go to the limits of your longing. Embody me.
Flare up like flame And make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life. You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand
Rainer Maria Rilke
Love,
Liz
Tina, Thank you so much for keeping us aware of the very important events in your life, your mothers, Betty’s and Don’s. I hold all of you in my heart and prayers. I will not only play Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but will be improvising as well. It is actually becoming fun for me! I’m so grateful for all you’ve given me and wish you wisdom and fortitude during these trying times. With Love, NE
Tina, I’m hoping for the best for you and your Mother. We went through a rough time with my mother in December and early January, but she is doing fine now. She was 91 in December. I know we are all playing “Over the Rainbow’ often and sending our thoughts and cares too. Hugs Gaylord
Dear Tina, Don and all, as we gather in spirit and music, please find the comfort of all loving intention.
Rachel Christensen
Dear Tina,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and most especially your wonderful mom. I will be sure to play Somewhere over the rainbow today. May healing loving lights shine upon her. Thanks for sharing the lovely picture with us Tina, you mom is truly a beautiful lady.
Hugs, Annie
Tina, Blessings and peace to your Mother and to you – and to all who need our care and music -
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the gentle night to you,
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you,
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you.
A prayer from the Office of Compline:
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love’s sake. Amen
We love you Tina. The entire IHTP Family is holding you, your mother and your family in our hearts. May the light and love of the Mystery that we name as Divine, grant each of you Peace during this difficult time. Blessings, Sarah
Dear Tina:
I hold you and your mother in my heart while I play harp. May God bless you and Ruth with Infinite Love, Light, Peace and Harmony throughout these days of uncertainty. Ruth has given the world such an enormous gift of healing tool – the harp therapy via her wonderful, creative, talented daughter Tina. I took the gift of harp therapy from Tina and continue to give it to my family, patients, friends and countless people who received it and benefit from it. The benefit will always return to you and Ruth multiplied and last forever. Thank you Ruth and Tina for this amazing healing tool. We will continue to play the harp for the world….. With Infinite Love, Elizabeth Chen Christenson, MD
Tina and Ruth, What a great life review – it is great to reach our 88th year and be at peace. A life lived fully and certainly an inspiration to a darling daughter, Tina. Breathe deeply and know that you are loved by so many.
Anita from Woodslee where the spring frogs are doing therapy upon us.
Blessings of loving, Light, and sound to us all. Tina, lots of loving to you, your Mom, and your journey. We are blessed to be living in most challenging times and to share the blessing of sound and healing with others. I ask for the blessings of the IHTP family for my 96 year old aunt, Lucille Jacobson, and all the Day family experiencing challenges at this time. This afternoon, I will play Over the Rainbow with clear intention that it go out to all for the highest good of all concerned.
All the best,
Estelle
Hi Tina, back in 2005, I remember you dressed all in white, and sitting on the cliff top near my house on your late father’s birthday, remembering him. I am really sad to hear about your mother who clearly has inspired you so much. Thank you for sharing.
Please offer a prayer for my father who at 94, is slowly fading away.
Dear Tina,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother. What beautiful pictures. They really show what a loving and close relationship you have with your mom. I will send Rainbow Sounds from the hillsides of Vermont to the hamlets of Maine. I am sure you are familiar with the following Celtic prayer:
May the long time sun shine on you,
May all love surround you and
May the pure light within you guide you on your way.
Many blessings to you and your mother,
Margaret
Dear Tina! You and your mother are so beautiful! I hold both of you in my thoughts and prayers. May peace and calm be in your hearts whatsoever will come, and may your spirits embrace the tender beauty and the deep experiences that can arise from hardship and difficult experiences. I imagine you and your mom playing Amazing Grace together.
I want to thank both of you from the bottom of my heart for what you have brought to the world with the IHTP. It is a blessing for humanity! Thank you.
I pray for you.
I will play for you.
Dear Tina and Ruth
I will play for you tomorrow and hold you in my thoughts and heart and send you lots of energy for this trial.
What a Privilege to know you as part of my life and what a Privilege to be able to play for your mum and to know about her journey and to be able to share all this.
Lots of strength for you to be able to accept whatever will come out of this current situation.
Lots of Love from Barbara
Dear Tina,
I am holding you and your mother in my thoughts, prayers and playing. You’ve so generously shared the gifts of your harp journey together with so many. May this bring comfort, strength and peace to you both.
With love and gratitude,
Bev
I’m touched by the picture of your mother and your story. Thanks for sharing this with us. Our music,intentions are with you, your mother, Don and all the other persons.. I will light a candle and play….
warmth, love and light, Clara
Dear Tina: Blessings to you and your mother. Beautiful pictures. I will play for you both and pray for you tonight.
be well.
best wishes
becca
Dear Tina,
Know that I hold you and your mum in my heart as I play Over the Rainbow…Thank you both for creating IHTP and this big harp therapy family, what a gift you have given us!
With much love and peace,
Laurence
Thanks for sending, Bambi.
And so sorry for your sad journey right now Christina.
It is a hard time for so many. My younger sister is in chemo for Stage III uterine cancer right now, and my 92-year-old mother-in-law is just entering hospice care. I take my harp to play for them both. In fact, at the infusion center last week, not only did my sister fall fast asleep while I was playing, so did each of the other 7 patients. It was amazing.
I am interning at an acute care hospital and play on Wednesdays. Coincidentally, my mother-in-law was admitted last weekend to the very floor I had been playing on the week before.
I can only say that I am incredibly grateful for the experience of harp therapy and for being led to it. Being able to provide comfort not only to my own family members but others all around is incredibly fulfilling. It truly is a blessing.
The best to all who are going through sad and trying times right now you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Tina.
Thinking of you at this time and sending you loving thoughts and prayers for you and your Mom.
Blessings,
Amelia
Dear Christina,
Thanks for sharing all this with us, and also for the beautiful pictures of your mom. It must be hard for her not being able to play any more after a life of harp playing, on top of all the physical trouble she is going through. I hope that you will be able to share much light and sound together and that that will help both of you. I will think of you often the next few days and visualize the light carrying you both.
Much love and light to you both, and a special angel,
Xxlia
Dear Tina,
I will be keeping your mother and you in thought and prayer; and I will play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.
Below is a prayer for both you and your mother. ~Cynthy Johnson
Sweet Spirit,
Comfort Tina and her mother,
Surround them both with peace .
Let them not relinquish hope,
For nothing is beyond You.
Sweet Spirit,
Bless Tina and her Mother,
Surround them with Love and Light.
Quiet their hearts and minds …
To Be Still and Know …
To Be Still …
To Be ..
Amen.
Dear Christina and Ruth, you are both in my prayers. I hope the energy from all of us will guide you through this difficult time. I will be playing.
Dear Harp Family:
My good friend, Suzy Goard, lost her 62-year-old brother, Mark George Foster,who died suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday. He had been eagerly awaiting the birth of his first grandchild due in a few months and had no history of ill health. The coming weeks are going to be quite difficult for the family. Please keep this family in your thoughts and playing of Somewhere Over the Rainbow this week.
Thank you.
Bev
Hi friends.
I thought I’d give you all an update on my broken wrist- I have developed a complication called R.S.D. which is making my hand very swollen, painful and stiff, and healing very slow. I still can’t use that hand at all. I have read about a treatment they have had success with which is offered in Richmond, so I’m thinking of giving that a try soon. I would very much appreciate your good thoughts and prayers for my healing.
Amelia
For my son Brad who is facing a very serious illness and now doctors are looking for a mass in the gastrointestinal area. He lives in Amsterdam with his beautiful Dutch wife and three children 2,4,6.
He has been too weak to work. We are praying for some very good news as this illness has been present since last August with 4 hospital visits. Thank You to all my fellow harpers for your playing and support of me through these difficult and hard times
For Lynette, when we become parents we have signed up for a life long commitment. I am sure as a mother and grandmother, these are trying times for you. Know that you are loved by those who have known and seen your love. You will be held in our hearts through this crisis.
Anita Leschied
For those of you in Vermont last summer, you may remember me having trouble with my knee. I am having surgery next Tuesday, the 21st, for a torn miniscus. While I am not planning on going “Over the Rainbow”, I would love to know that my harp family are with me.
I’m hoping that my recovery time can be spent playing.
I’m asking for prayers and good thoughts for our baby grandson to be that his in utero health conditions won’t be serious and everything will turn out fine.
Thank you all so much!
Lynette
Dear Don,
I am a current IHTP student who recently listened to your conference call and watched videos of you presenting at a IHTP conference. The information you presented had a profound effect on me.
The happy and joyous activity using paper plates to Mozart music is etched in my memory, and I am using this activity in my music sessions with residents in an aged care facility, and with people with disabilities.
Importantly and profoundly, you encouraged us to build our own temples of sound within us, and to look at the elements of what makes a spiritual environment for us.
You led us in a very powerful meditation to Mozart music which is also etched in my memory. The meditation encouraged us to consider the elements that have called us to the realm of healing. You led us to gather the energies of our teachers and ancestors who had bought us to heal with music. I experienced goose bumps watching and participating in this meditation. It had a very powerful impact on me.
Sending you love, light and prayers,
Rhonda Ward
Dear Don,
Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, upon watching and listening to a prior IHTP conference where you presented, I was enamored. Went on to zealously purchase many of your books and CDs. I have shared much of your teachings with friends and family.
You have motivated me to create a sound environment conducive to healing not only for myself but my family and patients and their families.
Thank you for your humor, your wisdom and your insight. I will continue to hold you in prayer and join our ITHP community in playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Fondly,
Claire Guggenheim
Dear Deahn, My heart goes out to you-my own husband had a severe stroke several years ago. I felt much the same as you have said in your post. What you are doing takes great courage and love. May you and John be filled with Grace and Light.
Dear Deahn, Both you and John are in my prayers. I pray that you will gain clarity and strength during this difficult time. Kate
Dear Don, I was so blessed by the workshop I did with you in SanDiego in 2009. It was so worth while coming from Australia to attend. I have a news paper article about you, that I cut out from an Aust. news paper, in my files. You are an inspiration!!! I was sad to read about your health issues and pray that you will be given strength during this difficult time and will receive healing. God be with you. You are in my prayers. Carla Whiteley.
Cathy DeWitt writes: Dear Tina and fellow harpists,
There was a horrible accident on I-75 just outside of Gainesville late Saturday night…Smoke from a brush fire combined with fog caused a sudden lack of visibility, and as cars slowed down or stopped, they were slammed into by semis, tractor-trailers, trucks and other cars– a domino effect caused a pile-up of about twenty vehicles, several of which exploded and burst into flames. Ten people were killed, and many more remain in the hospital in critical condition. You can read about this at the newspaper’s online site, http://www.gainesville.com.
Please include these folks in your thoughts and musical prayers this week.
Thanks–
Namaste,
Cathy
My husband, John Johnson suffered a severe stroke in on Thanksgiving 2010. It has been 14 months of struggle and therapies to no avail. He still suffers from aphasia (lack of speech), right side paralyzation, incontinence, and most likely depressio n. I cannot reach him, he cannot reach me,he seems to be weakening and my hope is slipping through my fingertips. Having him at home and being his caregiver for so long has taken its tole. I am at a turning point and need to make a decision as to how to best serve both our needs. The guilt is overbearing even though well meaning friends tell me I have done all I could. I am not sure who I am anymore as I have given up all the unique parts of me to become everything for him. I need prayers for clarity to make the hard decisions for the best and highest good of all involved.
Dear Don,
You and Bela are in our thoughts and prayers. Buffy (not the vampire slayer, short for buffalo) would like to send her positive bark and lick to Bela!
Kate
I just read your letter stating your physical problem which seems to be quite severe and difficult. I wish you God’s speed in coping with this difficulty and many blessings for the future. Remember always that we are spiritual beings in the physical body and that you are being blessed in the Light. Anne Elizabeth Evans