The Girl Who Left A Tape Of “Astral Weeks” Playing By Her Brother’S Hospital Bed

April 1, 2025

Lily sat quietly in the dimly lit hospital room, the steady beep of the heart monitor filling the silence. Her brother, Sam, lay in the bed, his body still and pale. A few days earlier, he had been full of energy, laughing and planning their summer adventures. But now, a sudden illness had changed everything, leaving him fighting for his life. As she held his hand, she remembered the music they used to listen to together. It was their favorite album, Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks.” In a moment of inspiration, she decided to play it for him, hoping the soothing sounds would reach him somehow.

With a gentle touch, Lily placed a tape player on the bedside table, pressing play. The opening notes of “Astral Weeks” filled the room, wrapping around them like a soft blanket. The music was ethereal, transporting Lily to a world where hope and healing intertwined. She pictured her brother smiling, tapping his fingers to the beat as they listened to Van Morrison’s soulful voice. Each lyric told a story, and she couldn’t help but feel that perhaps the magic of the music could bridge the gap between their worlds, bringing him back to her.

As the melodies soared, Lily shared her thoughts with Sam, recounting the times they sang along together, their voices echoing in the car on long drives or during lazy summer afternoons. “Remember that road trip we took to the beach?” she whispered. “We sang ‘Sweet Thing’ so loud, we probably scared all the seagulls away!” With each story, she felt a warmth in her heart, believing that the music, woven with memories, might somehow spark a response in her brother.

Days passed, and every afternoon, Lily returned to the hospital with the tape player. The family doctor noticed a change in Sam’s vital signs. While he remained unconscious, his heart rate steadied when Lily played the album. It was a small victory, but it ignited a flicker of hope in the family. They learned that music could be a healing force, profoundly affecting those who listened, even when they seemed far away. Inspired by this, Lily continued to share her favorite songs, convinced that each note could lift her brother closer to a full recovery.

One morning, after a particularly long night, something miraculous happened. As the song “Into the Mystic” played, Sam’s fingers twitched slightly, and for the first time in weeks, his eyes slowly opened. Confused at first, he then looked at Lily with a faint smile, as if he was waking from a deep dream. In that moment, the power of music transformed the atmosphere in the room. They both knew the road to recovery would be long, but that day marked the beginning of their journey together, with the music guiding them through.

Van Morrison had once written “Astral Weeks” during a difficult period in his own life, pouring his heart into the songs as a way to heal. In sharing this music with her brother, Lily had not only helped him find his way back but had also connected the transformative power of art to their lives. As they moved forward, healed by the melodies that had once brought them joy, they discovered that the bond they shared was now stronger than ever, with music forever marking their story of resilience and love.