Music has played an instrumental part of my life….
- Being introduced as a toddler to Elvis hits that were played on a jukebox.
- Singing beautiful hymns every Sunday with my family.
- My grandfather playing the baby grand and asking us to sing with him.
- Taking piano lessons.
- Singing with my family in the car on several trips together.
- Being part of a chorus in high school and college.
- Participating in musicals.
- Singing to my babies and grand babies.
But, I believed it impacted me more when I watched my mother, with Alzheimer’s, remember each word to a hymn or a 40s or 50s tune. I write about this in my book, A Song in Her Heart. It brought our family so much joy to watch her sing. You could see in her face how much peace it gave her and she would smile and look content. It soothed my mom but it soothed our souls as well.
One of my favorite scriptures is Zephaniah 3:17, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” I don’t know about you, but that gives me such comfort. Comfort knowing He sings over me.
Writing prompt today was from Five Minute Friday writing group.
Psalm 71 Blog 
I love that your mom could still sing! My grandmother-in-law still had perfect vision with Alzheimer’s and would read picture books to us and sing Jesus Loves Me – sweet memories.
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Definitely sweet memories.
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That verse from Zephaniah is one of my favourites too, and I love how music can be so powerful in bringing joy to those suffering from Alzheimer’s. Visiting from FMF.
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Thank you!
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I’ve heard about that connection that music can make in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients that are otherwise non communicative. What a blessing music is! That’s one of my favorite verses and word pictures too. Visiting from FMF#11
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I still remember the songs that my dad used to belt out while doing chores in the barn. And often find myself singing them as well. 🙂 Music is good for one’s heart for sure!
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I love your story about your mom and music. Isn’t it a marvelous gift that music reaches us down to our core?
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Yes, I am so thankful for it.
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No one wants to be a minder,
but sometimes there is no choice,
and there is no way to be kinder
than to let the fragile have a voice
that may be cracked and out of tune,
that may veer off along the way,
but that is still heard as a boon
of fellowship, for one more day.
We need to listen, not to wince,
to pull the grace out of the mire,
to hear in faltered words the hints
of what was once bright inner fire
now softened to a precious glow
that a loving God will know.
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Thank you for sharing this. We certainly do need to listen.
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