People forget things. On an average day, someone might wonder why they can’t remember where they left their car keys last, or they might realize they’d forgotten to get a gallon of milk after they’re halfway home from work. Memory is a funny thing, though – if you turn on the radio and hear a song you used to love, it’s a piece of cake to sing along with every word, despite not having heard that song for years. For some people, memories of days gone by are their most valuable possessions; unfortunately, time and deteriorating health conditions can make those memories hard to reach. Hearts for Hospice sees this happening to their patients every day. Longing after memories of friends and family is hard on anyone, especially those who are further in years. An effective solution exists, however. It comes in the form of a music specialist with a smile on his face and a guitar in hand, and his name is Casey Kelley. On this particular day, Casey is visiting an 84-year-old patient named Dell, a local locally- grown cowboy and former War Bonnet Roundup champion. They start with a special melody, written especially for Dell by his daughter about life as a rodeo rider. “He’s just a rodeo cowboy, who wants to be the first in the world. He’s a rodeo cowboy, and number one in the eyes of his girl.” Dell sings along with Casey, hitting nearly every note perfectly. They continue to sing several more of Dell’s favorite songs, mostly country western numbers, such as Willie Nelson and John Denver tunes. While Casey does not have a degree in music therapy, his lifelong background in music allows him to learn lots of new songs for patients, ranging from country western music like Dell’s favorites, to hymns and songs from the 1920’s and 30’s. Most of the songs played in these visits are attached to important events and special memories in a patient’s life. Even patients who experience serious conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s can hear music and respond to the connection that they have to it, which can give support and cheer to a patient. While many of these conditions cannot be reversed, music can still improve the quality of life for every patient. “Music plays a huge role in our lives; it’s not something that you think of often, but when you do think about it, what in your life doesn’t contain music in some form or the other?” said Casey. “When you hop in your car, the stereo’s on. When your phone rings, it’s a musical tone.” The music Casey plays has affected his own life, as well. One special moment he recalls is the story of a married couple; a woman was a hospice patient that lived at home, but her husband lived at a hospice facility. Casey was also a van driver then, and he frequently brought this woman’s husband with him to play music for them both. On the day before their 63rd wedding anniversary, one patient asked that Casey sing “I Love You Truly” to honor their anniversary. “As I sang, I looked over and saw this precious lady gazing into her husband’s eyes, with tears in her own, singing along with me to her sweetheart. It was such a touching moment to see the love that they had for each other,” said Casey. Soon after this experience, the patient passed away. “I felt so blessed to have been able to help provide that moment for them, and to share it with them.” At the end of the visit with Dell, Casey strikes up the chords of the song written by Dell’s daughter once again. “Now the shows have passed him by, there’s only room for younger guys. He still has a rodeo memory. There’s still a tear in Mama’s eye, thinking of the years gone by, something that meant so much way back then. He’s still a rodeo cowboy, who wants to be first in the world. He’s a rodeo cowboy, and still number one in the eyes of his girl.”