Yesterday I went and visited with my friend at an assisted living facility. It was the BEST visit so far. Funny how I go to visit and cheer her up….yet I walk away with a huge smile on my face.
While I was visiting, one of the other ladies came past me, headed to the piano. She whispered to me….I going to play Sentimental Journey…I’m gonna set my heart at ease. She smiled as she set down and began to play.
I was fortunate enough to be sitting right beside her. I watched as she tickled those ivories. She played with no hesitation. Then she began to sing. She didn’t sing all the words…she did play all the song though. You could see that she really enjoyed playing. She smiled and her eyes twinkled the whole time she played.
The nurses said she plays that song every afternoon after she eats. I thought that was priceless.
There is another lady I met the last time I went. Her name is Martha. I took Layla my granddaughter on Valentines Day. She handed out balloons to the residents, which meant that day we saw everyone. That is when we met Mrs. Martha. Mrs. Martha’s daughter was here from California and greeted Layla at the door, her eyes brightened. She said I am so glad you brought this little one….this will be the best thing for my Mom. She used to teach children music and she loves them so much. I told her daughter that I would check in on her Mother when I came to visit my friend.
I had not planned to take Layla….it was just one of those days when things fell into place and she went with me. I am soooo glad. Some times you don’t know why things happen the way they do, but they are for a reason.
Mrs. Martha was sitting in a chair, yesterday after lunch. I asked her if she played the piano,I was pretty sure she did. She got up, walked right to the piano and started playing Amazing Grace. Then she began to sing….of course by now….I was a teary mess.
She played and sang several verses. She also played very well. The amazing thing to me is…they all have memory problems, that is why they are there. But they could still enjoy and let others enjoy their music.
On top of that, several said they liked my granddaughter and thought she had a pretty dress on that day (which she did). I was surprised that 3 weeks later, they remembered her visit. I am so glad she brought a smile to their faces.
I can’t tell you how much I was blessed. I was the one who had been ministered to.
So I left there like I said earlier, with a huge smile on my face.
When I arrived home we went to my brother- in-laws house for dinner. It was his birthday. He has a little dachshund that is his pride and joy. Her name is Trixie. She goes everywhere with him. Since that is the case she gets to go over to my father and mother- in-laws house a good bit.
Trixie adores them, and they adore Trixie.
Last night they gave us one of their duets. This is a regular song they perform for us at most every get together.
It seemed there was music all around me yesterday.
It was all very different, but it all made me smile. It was all PRICELESS!
Make a Joyful Noise……
I've Gone Country 
Posted by Babs Christy on March 6, 2012 at 6:33 pm
When John’s mom’s dementia was such that she didn’t know where she was or who her children were, she still could sing at the Sunday services they had where she was living every verse of every hymn from memory. It’s amazing what the mind retains. I guess we never stop praising the Lord :).