She started researching Alternative Therapies for managing Chronic Pain which was becoming disabling to her.

During one of these searches on the internet she read an article on the subject of Harp Therapy.

A life long Dream to play the Harp was re-kindled. As her children were now older , she felt the time was right to pursue her dream and try also manage her pain.

With a strong determination,unshaken by the doubts and negativisms expressed by a few close friends and family members, Norma began her Journey

Persistence paid off , she found a Harp instructor and a Harp maker,about an hour's drive away.Norma rented a student Harp for a year with her First Harp ,a 34 stringed Celtic Beauty.

Norma's family background was rich in music, this encouraged her to persist . The lessons learnt from brother Wayne McGhie's 'Fyah Wyah" were invaluable .Her experience playing the piano was also very helpful in learning the Harp.

McGhie-Mentore, discovered that her experiences playing the Harp affirmed some of the benefits she previously read about. She was so absorbed during her playing that she was unaware of the persistent pain she suffered with,and felt more relaxed during and after playing.

Before long she realized that the amount of analgesics taken were greatly reduced.The general atmosphere of the home was more peaceful and restful,even with 3 busy teenagers.

Even the family's 2 feisty cats were affected by the harp music. Congreve 1697 stated"music hath charm to soothe the savage beast,to soften rocks or bend knotted oak". The Cats often postponed their frolics to station themselves near the harp in quiet repose.

Norma stated she "came out of the closet" with her" Harping" ,because she" could not keep the benefits obtained from this "awesome" music",to herself. She had acquired her second Harp ,a smaller, lap, Eve Harp by 1993,. and began to take it with her to work, practicing during lunch breaks , on playing on her volunteer rounds.

She was encouraged to visit other units when she observed the positive responses and feed-back from both staff and patients. Before long Norma was playing for groups of Alzheimers Patients and others.She found it very rewarding to play by the bedside of immobilized patients.,and during their meal times.

Norma found that her passion for the Harp was instrumental in helping her through a series of personal tragedies that occurred from may 2000-2002

Among these was a detereoration in her physical condition which forced her to stop nursing.

The prognosis for continuing nursing was poor.She was encouraged to explore alternate employment.

The opportunity to study as a music Pratitioner in Music for Healing and Transition Course presented itself around the same time. The course was offered in Vancouver for the last time.Devine intervention was at work.

The MHTP Course drew upon her experience as a nurse,and provided the opportunity for much personal growth thru self care. The information learnt was invaluable not only did Mentore graduate in 2002 to be the only Certified Music Practitioner in Central Alberta but was felt well enough to return to Her Nursing Practice.

She continues to work full time as a nurse and also as a Music Practitioner on her days off.She continues to volunteer playing the Harp.She has a strong preference for playing at the bedside of sick and dying patients,