Even though today was Mother’s Day, I spent time with my Mom in the hospital caring for my Dad. He was not doing as well today as he was yesterday. He seemed very agitated and restless and would not stay asleep longer than about 15 seconds. It was hard to watch as he really needed the rest in order for his brain to heal.
After over an hour of trying to calm him down, my wife suggested we try singing to him, She led us in some old hymns that Dad would know… and HE STARTED SINGING ALONG! It was unbelievable. He can’t talk or really put his thoughts together, yet when he hears the old favorite gospel hymns such as: It Is Well With My Soul, Great is Thy Faithfulness, How Great Thou Art, Jesus I am Resting, and many more – he actually went right into singing them with us!
It was another reminder that truth can be deeply rooted by a lifetime of study, application and celebration within the family of Christ. It was heart-warming to see him finding a connection with us in this way, even though he could not in any other way.
Thanks for sharing, Randal. You don’t know me but I’m acquainted with your mom through the Hohulins and the Pelsy family in France. Just wanted to say I understand exactly what you’re saying about singing the hymns. I had the same experience with my mom whose brain was gone (strokes, dementia, alzheimers, etc.) and could not communicate in any way, not even with meaningful eye contact. I sang familiar hymns with her, she held the songbook upside down, and she sang even the second and third verses perfectly. Her eyes “connected” during that time. You and I both observed something special. Praying for your peace and comfort at this time.