Spoons (or The Lesson)

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way. - Doris Lessing

Have you ever had an experience where you thought you were helping someone, but later come to realize it was actually they who were helping you?
So this is the story of my friend Mary (I have changed her real name). I work with the elderly, as a Music Therapist. What is a music therapist? Well, I could give you a very formal definition, but I won't. Instead, I will tell you what I do. Basically, I have made a career out of trying to brighten people's day... to brighten their day when they struggle to find their value or when they feel the most alone in life and the most helpless. I help them see and find beautiful memories and talents they still possess.
The first day I met Mary, she confidently strolled into the music room pushing her walker. With her sparkling, bright blue eyes this 90 year old lady turned to me and skeptically said, "So, you are going to teach me music, are you? You know, I had a very accomplished piano teacher before I moved in." And so we began...

First, we strengthened her left hand's piano playing. Drilling note names...and hand exercises. And the weeks passed...

And Mary would ask,"Now, What are you going to teach me?"
Then, we worked on both hands playing together...And more weeks passed..

And Mary would ask, "Now, What are you going to teach me?"
Next we worked on perfecting the performance of favourite melodies...

But then her eyesight began to fade...
And playing the piano hurt her hands and did not bring her any joy...

And Mary asked,"Now, What are you going to teach me..."

Four large silver spoons I proudly displayed before Mary.  Smiling, I said,"I stole these from my mother-in-law's silverware drawer. This is what we will learn to play today."

And over an hour slipped by with the clang of silver spoons accompanying soft Nova Scotian aires.

With the end of summer, Miss Mary's health deteriorated and she had to be hospitalised. I was told she would not be returning. But she did...

And miss Mary said,"I know how much you need me." And quietly, she whispered, again and again,"I love you so much. I love you so much..."

My dear friend passed away last week, a month past her 92nd birthday. 
And I see now...it was I who was learning.

A Song For You...

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. - Berthold Auerbach

When I grew up, my mom was always singing.  I did feel as if I lived in a musical. Everything was put to music...
As we walked down country paths....she would sing, "I love to go a wandering...If I complained about difficulties with my siblings she would begin singing, with a smile, a funny song about eating worms....
If it was raining, or if I was feeling sad, it would be, "the sun will come out...tomorrow..."  She really did love to sing... 
Now, I work with the elderly, as a music therapist.  I can not count how many times my clients have told me, "My mother use to sing all the time..."  And then they would continue asking if I sang to my children too...  I wonder how many people do sing to their children today?  I think it is becoming a lost art....
Music can really lift your spirit...and help difficult situations to not seem as grim.
I do not sing all the time to my children, but I do (and did)  try to sing lullabies to them in the evenings.  I wanted to share a song with you that I wrote for my littlest son.  My second son was the cameraman.  He used my little point and shoot camera...and even did all the editing...
You will also hear a knock on the door...that is my littlest son...(I just thought it was cute so I left it in)

So this song...is my first entry into my song blog...it will be dedicated to helping mothers find songs to sing to their young children....I put a link tab at the top of my page if you would like to view the entire blog( it is located next to the about me tab).  It is just a beginning...