Sam Murray

kmag · Post by **kmag** » Mon May 29, 2006 1:05 pm

My wife and went to Ireland and planned staying for ten days on our way to Spain to see my Daughter.
While in Galway for a couple of days I decided to see if I could find Sam Murray and visit with him and take a look at some of his flutes since I had never seen one. I was surprised to find that he is not listed in the phone book and gave up on the idea since I need a new flute like I need another hole in the head.
Unfortunately, on the fourth day while on the Aran Islands, Jackie suffered a heart attack and had to be airlifted back to Galway University Hospital. She needed five days there and another week at a bed and breakfast to recover enough to fly.
While she took naps I would go out and explore Galway.
One day I was at a pub and I always take a camera with me and the one I had this day was my old Rolleiflex. I was standing there and the man next to me started a conversation about my camera and about an old woodframed camera he had restored. That is when he told me that he doesn't normally do that kind of work, that he is a flutemaker. Of course I asked his name and he replied, Sam Murray.
I couldn't believe my luck. He is a very nice man and I told him I had tried looking for him and he told me that he practises a zen style of marketing, no ads, no web-pages, just word of mouth.
I rushed back to tell Jackie my good fortune and the man in the next bed said he thought the story was beautiful and started to cry.
The care she received was fantastic and we are home now and she is doing well.
A good friend of mine said a trip to Ireland is not a trip without a good story...and that's it.
Kurt

Hoovorff · Post by **Hoovorff** » Mon May 29, 2006 1:16 pm

Beautiful story, Kurt! We'll keep your wife in our prayers. It sounds like you were meant to meet Sam Murray!

Thanks for sharing, Jeanie

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Mon May 29, 2006 6:15 pm

Oh Man, what a great story!

So sad for your wife, though.

I hope she is doing well!

M

Unseen122 · Post by **Unseen122** » Mon May 29, 2006 6:36 pm

That is a wonderful story.

kmag · Post by **kmag** » Mon May 29, 2006 10:24 pm

Thank you for everone's concern.
She is doing well and is scheduled to have stents put into three arteries tomorrow.
On the good side we have discussed how great it was to meet so many people due to this experience.
I would have to say that you will never find more freindly and caring people in this world than Ireland. It is especially evident where we were. The hospital is a regional hospital and people come from all over western Ireland to be taken care of there. The patients pulled together and many families were from small towns, one from Clare Island, and traveled hours each day to see each other.
The staff, as well as other patients, went to great pains to make us feel at home and as comfortable as possible, to the extent of sending over their children and grandchildren to talk to us.
For that we will be always grateful.
On the flute side of things. Sam said his waiting list on keyless flutes was about three months.
Thanks,
Kurt

Steampacket · Post by **Steampacket** » Tue May 30, 2006 2:44 am

Thanks for the story Kurt, and I hope your wife gets well and strong again, it's certainly not easy when people close to you become seriously ill. Sam Murray is a fine craftsman and I hope he's doing alright

Sylvester · Post by **Sylvester** » Tue May 30, 2006 5:52 am

Steampacket wrote:... Sam Murray is a fine craftsman and I hope he's doing alright

Oh yes...he is...

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Tue May 30, 2006 9:32 am

God bless you both ... actually, the whole hospital and everyone you met! If the people I know who've had the procedure done are any indication, your wife will feel a million percent better once those stents are in and settled, and you will both be amazed at how much her energy level improves.

Besides, with Sam Murray on your side ...

Wow. The universe takes care of us in such surprising and mysterious ways, doesn't it? It's always good to be reminded of that.

Peace!

cat.