I Can Hear Music
The progression of mom's dementia has not come without moments of depression. Moments that have her crying for this reason or that, or for no reason at all.
At times, no manner of comfort can change the sadness she feels. In an attempt to try again and change this, God, in all his wisdom and grace, gave me thought as I was driving home from wrok the other day........engulfed in the sounds of Randy Travis singing old hymns.
Why not see if Mom would respond positively to the music of hymns of her life.
She used to be so involved in music, playing for the congregation, for the children's ministry, playing piano at home. And such a lovely voice mom had......a soprano voice that would match Sandi Patti any day. Even in her mid 70's, I always loved hearing mom sing. That's the last I remember, is when she was in her mid-late 70's, sitting in the pew at the morning service at Calvary Chapel Mid-Cities, singing in worship.
Well, the other night, my hubby hooked up a headset for mom to our DVD/CD player. I put in The Randy Travis Worship & Faith CD. Put the headset on Mom, which I was sure was going to have her head falling off, since the headphones were kinda big and clumpy. Turned on the CD and waited. I leaned close to make sure it was playing and she could hear it.
A few songs into the CD, I think he must have been singing In The Garden, mama starts singing.
I could not understand her words, but she was definitely singing! I could not speak! (imagine that, me speechless). John stopped what he was doing and just looked at mom in ultimate surprise. She was just sitting there wearing these big old white headphones, singing to a song she must of loved and known well. After the song finised, she says, oh so clear........"this is real nice, he is real good"....smiles all over her face!
John said to me, "I think you're on to something". Well, I tell you, she heard music that night and we heard the music of her heart.
Any conversation that followed that Thursday evening, was so clear between her and I. And with her smiles were the sparkle in her eyes that I remember.
We're praying for more music from mom. Because we know, that is a place where mom is happy.
At times, no manner of comfort can change the sadness she feels. In an attempt to try again and change this, God, in all his wisdom and grace, gave me thought as I was driving home from wrok the other day........engulfed in the sounds of Randy Travis singing old hymns.
Why not see if Mom would respond positively to the music of hymns of her life.
She used to be so involved in music, playing for the congregation, for the children's ministry, playing piano at home. And such a lovely voice mom had......a soprano voice that would match Sandi Patti any day. Even in her mid 70's, I always loved hearing mom sing. That's the last I remember, is when she was in her mid-late 70's, sitting in the pew at the morning service at Calvary Chapel Mid-Cities, singing in worship.
Well, the other night, my hubby hooked up a headset for mom to our DVD/CD player. I put in The Randy Travis Worship & Faith CD. Put the headset on Mom, which I was sure was going to have her head falling off, since the headphones were kinda big and clumpy. Turned on the CD and waited. I leaned close to make sure it was playing and she could hear it.
A few songs into the CD, I think he must have been singing In The Garden, mama starts singing.
I could not understand her words, but she was definitely singing! I could not speak! (imagine that, me speechless). John stopped what he was doing and just looked at mom in ultimate surprise. She was just sitting there wearing these big old white headphones, singing to a song she must of loved and known well. After the song finised, she says, oh so clear........"this is real nice, he is real good"....smiles all over her face!
John said to me, "I think you're on to something". Well, I tell you, she heard music that night and we heard the music of her heart.
Any conversation that followed that Thursday evening, was so clear between her and I. And with her smiles were the sparkle in her eyes that I remember.
We're praying for more music from mom. Because we know, that is a place where mom is happy.
posted by gale at 3:48 PM
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