Sally Roach was a talented, gentle, generous woman of great heart, skill and presence. The news of Sally's cancer diagnosis was a shock to all. While many of her community in her home town grieved the oncoming loss of a dearly loved one, Joanie was thousands of miles away on the other side of the planet. How could she share her love of Sally at this time?
The words of a song Sally had taught Joanie many years ago came to her mind. The words were in Spanish, and translate as:
Free like the air, free like the wind, like the stars in the heavens above.
Joanie made a quick recording of her singing it on her phone and sent a few messages out to friends, inviting them to send a recording of themselves, and to tell anyone else they thought would like to join in.
Within days 37 people had sent voicenotes - amazing harmonies, simple recordings of them just speaking the words - both in Spanish and in English. Joanie put them all together. The result was amazing - it sounded like a choir of Sally's nearest and dearest had gathered in person, singing their hearts out for Sally. Joanie sent the final piece to Sally, who through listening to it found a connection to the love all these people had for her. She asked for it to be played at her funeral.
As if that wasn't powerful enough, the people who'd sent recordings said that it was one of the most powerful processes around death they'd ever been part of. It seems Joanie had found something that everyone needed, but didn't know they did: that bringing people's voices together in this way is a powerful gift of love, permission and grace to a dying person, and an incredible healing tool for those being left behind.
Joanie now curates the creation of such song gifts for people who are dying. If you would like support in the creation of something similar for someone you love, please get in touch.
Meanwhile, here is the original song, offered in beloved memory of the wonder of Sally Roach, with deepest gratitude for her life on this planet and all that she was.
With love and thanks to you Sally, flying free.
The words of a song Sally had taught Joanie many years ago came to her mind. The words were in Spanish, and translate as:
Free like the air, free like the wind, like the stars in the heavens above.
Joanie made a quick recording of her singing it on her phone and sent a few messages out to friends, inviting them to send a recording of themselves, and to tell anyone else they thought would like to join in.
Within days 37 people had sent voicenotes - amazing harmonies, simple recordings of them just speaking the words - both in Spanish and in English. Joanie put them all together. The result was amazing - it sounded like a choir of Sally's nearest and dearest had gathered in person, singing their hearts out for Sally. Joanie sent the final piece to Sally, who through listening to it found a connection to the love all these people had for her. She asked for it to be played at her funeral.
As if that wasn't powerful enough, the people who'd sent recordings said that it was one of the most powerful processes around death they'd ever been part of. It seems Joanie had found something that everyone needed, but didn't know they did: that bringing people's voices together in this way is a powerful gift of love, permission and grace to a dying person, and an incredible healing tool for those being left behind.
Joanie now curates the creation of such song gifts for people who are dying. If you would like support in the creation of something similar for someone you love, please get in touch.
Meanwhile, here is the original song, offered in beloved memory of the wonder of Sally Roach, with deepest gratitude for her life on this planet and all that she was.
With love and thanks to you Sally, flying free.