Re: Music

January 3, 2006

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Like your Mum, my late Dad received much comfort from music. He new all the old

songs. When his memory got so he could not recall all the words, he made them

up and did a fine job improvisng. When his tremors got out of hand, I would

encouraged him to sing. He usually would say no, but I would start the song and

he always joined in. Consequently, the tremors would decrease and his spirits

would be lifted. Dad also enjoyed CDs. I researched all the old songs and

burned the ones that I thought he might enjoy. One of his favorites was " Girl

of my Dreams " which he lovingly sang to my Mother. I play his favorite songs

now and receive much comfort from them. We played his favorite CDs up until his

last moment. The song " Sweet Caroline " was playing at that time of hid death.

Caroline is Dad's great-grandchild.

I am so grateful that when Dad was singing, I had the foresight, to record his

voice. I love being able to hear his voice again. You may want to record your

Mum singing. In fact, if I had to do it all over again, I would have video

taped my Dad singing. I took lots of still pictures, but they are not quite the

same. Your Mum sounds like a really neat person.

XXXOOO

Gerry

Wilmington, Delaware

Music

I have found this group to be a mixed blessing. While it is comforting to

read postings and think " oh yes, this is what is happening/has happened to Mum "

I also feel so sad that so many people we love and their families are all

suffering from this horrible thing.

My mother has always loved music and when she was in hospital last summer we

discovered a music player in her room. We immediately brought a lot of CDS over

and started playing them to her. One day, when we hadn't responded to anything

for several days, we had a string quartet playing and she suddenly started to

sing along. It was an incredible and very movng sound. As soon as she came home,

Dad rushed out to get a CD player for her room and she has had music on much of

the time. Out of the blue something will touch her and she starts singing along.

I was visiting the other week and the music was off and had been in her usual

doze when she opened her eyes and said she would like some Gershwin! So I found

her An American in Paris and we sat there happily la'-la ing our way through.

So it's something to try.

Chins up, all.

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