This article describes my work as a music therapist in a children's hospice. It gives an account of 13 music therapy sessions with a girl, Catherine, who reached just 13 years of age before her death. During this short but intense span of time, Catherine showed great courage not only in coming to terms with the recent death of her younger sister, but, as it transpired, in preparing for her own death. As the therapeutic relationship developed, music became an invaluable source of communication, exploring the anxieties and confusion that Catherine faced as grief and fear came to the fore, while nurturing her innate zest for life.
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