INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Leah Crane honored Senator Richard Lugar at his funeral last month, but it's hard to believe that music is not her full-time job.
It's a constant battle of life and death at Riley Hospital. It's the only children's hospital in the state that performs heart transplants three days a week and it is the only place Leah Crane wants to be. And yet a little over a month ago the social worker wanted to be at the funeral of Richard Lugar.
"I have done a lot of performing, but it was the first time I could feel my heart literally beating in my throat," she said.
Backed up by the Indianapolis Children's Choir it was a memorable performance.
It's not the first time Crane has taken center stage. She sings locally and records demos regularly.
Just trying to figure out how all the worlds balance is often a challenge. Singing at Riley and normal family commitments.
How does somebody do all that?
"I don't know and when I figure it out I will probably tell you, 'cause I don't know," she answered with a hearty laugh. "I get to sing things in the studio but it's a very superficial level thinking about life. You go in and sing a song and you love the day. You haven't thought about any of the world's problems or anything serious about life. Then I come here and I see a whole different side of life not many others get to see, but is very real for a lot of people in this world and I am privileged to get to sit with families in their most difficult and transitional times of their life and be able to be there for them."
Then recently, she got a call an interesting call.
"Carnegie Hall, New York City. Yes, yes," she admitted.
Just being asked is a big deal.
"I know it's a big deal. It is. It is," she said with a shrug.
If she had to give one up, Riley or her music, Crane said that's a tough decision.
"I don't know that I can do that now. I feel invested with the team I am working with and the families I am working with. Even if I find out I don't need the job anymore financially, I don't want to disappoint the team or the families. I really feel invested at this point so I'm not leaving," she answered. "The world is not all about us. We need these opportunities to be able to pour ourselves into other people. Support other people and just know the other sides of life."