Growing up Church of Christ is an interesting thing. Back when I was a child - every church still had the hymnals. I remember that topics like projecting the words on a screen up at the front might be too contemporary. And of course there has always been the argument for or against musical instruments.
I'm not here to debate the debates with you. These are the songs I have carried in my heart since I was a child. They have helped me through many tough AND joyful things! There is nothing like a group - big or small - of Accappella singers all singing the different parts and enjoying praising God.
This morning EARLY - I called Daddy. This is not unusual. I usually call him daily on the way to elementary school about 6:45 every morning. We are both morning people. I am not sure anyone else on Earth would talk to me as early as my daddy picks up.
Today - for really the first time since Wednesday night - I got to talk to Mom! Daddy put me on speaker phone (like he usually does) and soon - Mom was answering me! She even said, "That's my baby."
I am sequestered at home with Covid. Daddy was tired after a night awake with Mom at the hospital. He needed breakfast. So I told him to leave ME with her. Of course I wasn't really there. I was at home. But - we talked. We didn't really have too much to say actually. So then - we started singing. This was something Mom would always do on driving trips across the country or when we were sick or to put us to bed.
I am NOT a great singer. BUT - I love to sing! And I am sure that God chuckles each time I do. He made my voice and MUST have wanted to hear it! So here I am singing into the phone. I eventually went and pulled down the song book I have on my bookshelf- just to remember the words I couldn't recall. Every once and awhile I would stop and Mom would yell, "Help!" And I would say - Mom I'm here, what do you need?" She said, "keep singing the words." So I did.
The only song I knew of that she "sang" along with was one of her favorites "Count Your Many Blessings." She didn't sing so much - just said "one" a couple of times. They say repetition is because of the stroke.
It was SO good to talk to her today on the phone. We got cut off when I called the staff through the front office to come give her a drink of water. But. For more than an hour - I visited with Mom and that made me happy! She hasn't really been cognitively here to do that much until this morning.
So - here is to a good day! ~Amy
Thank you for the update. I am so glad you could have at least an hour of private time with your mom. I can see her now smiling being so proud of you. I know the church has always been such a big part of her life.
ReplyDeleteTry to connect with her a couple times each day if possible. I remember Grandma Fromm would be able to remember songs, and tap her fingers and hear familiar voices and her face would light up and she would smile and then we knew she was feeling the love. You can do the same for your mom she knows your voice and all the songs she sang at church or to you girls at bedtime. You may be the link she needs to reconnect the damage done by her stroke. The Love your family has for each other is the best medicine you can give back to her.
Love Aunt Rita & Uncle Jim.