All of our work includes music: singing, ukulele, guitar, tiny trumpet, and more. Music creates some of the most lasting memories we hang on too. Here are some stories that show the power of this art:
On the 2nd floor, almost skipped this room, the lady was flat on her back staring at the ceiling while the TV blasted away. When I peeked in she looked over and smiled at me in my crazy costume… I asked if I could turn down the TV and sing to her – “yes please,” she said. I launched into “Home on the Range” and she started to sing along, in a beautiful thin soprano. I complimented her lovely voice, asked if she’d sung in choirs, she said she loved to sing. “Do you know Jesus Loves Me?” I’d never played it on the uke but said yes and we sang it together, and then Amazing Grace. She asked about another spiritual which I didn’t know. But she was ok with that. Then she said, “Music is good for the heart.”
Dorothy and Melvis visited resident WM in her room on the 3rd floor. She said she was happy to see the performers again and when discussing the 4th of July, the resident repeated “freedom” and “justice.” Melvis and Dorothy sang “If I Had a Hammer” which the resident to listened intently. The resident transformed from rigidity and repetitiveness into a toe-tapping, clapping singer. She thanked the performers profusely.
We visited the 4th and 3rd floors, performing in the desk area and then in the big room – we got a great reception. Favorite part there was the grumpy guy who sits by the 3rd floor elevator and doesn’t engage with us but sang the “Star Spangled Banner” in its entirety with us.