The Most Beautiful Song

Working with the elderly, you learn to appreciate the things we take for granted. You also discover the most beautiful things that can bring a warmth to your soul and become imprinted on your heart.

In my experience, the saddest and scariest thing about aging is Alzheimer’s Disease. Working with these beautiful souls is one of my greatest pleasures and saddest moments as well as it is where I have learned the most and experienced beautiful moments.

There is one beautiful moment that stands out for me and that is when music transformed a silent, withdrawn and confused woman into a singing and responsive individual. The lovely lady I am talking about has had a severe stroke and has dementia and is in a long term care facility. In her past, she danced ballet in Europe and sang Opera in England but has not sang since her stroke.

I had bought a Side Walk Prophets CD and played for her and she began to attempt to sing along with the music, even attempting to change notes and levels while singing. This was amazing to watch her do and it was a beautiful sound.

Another awe inspiring moment was hearing this wonderful woman attempt to practice Operatic singing with and without music playing, even though it was sadly off key and words made no logical sense it was the most beautiful song.

Every day since then, she will sing her song to me and share her love of music with me while listening and aiming to any music we hear. It is heart warming as you can see parts of the Opera singer coming out of her and watch a smile form on her face when you ask “are you singing?”

I encourage everyone to spend a day with an elderly person because it will change your life for the better and you will never be the same. Our elderly are the greatest teachers and bravest warriors as they have survived so many trials and tribulations in their lifetime.

Take a moment, share your time, open your mind and listen not just with your eyes but with your heart.

Legacy .. What your books say about you?

Have you been hit with a question that seemed to stop you in your tracks? Not because the answer eluded you but because the mere thought of what was purposed seemed to take a hold
of your mind?

Lately, I have seemed to be fixated on the thought of what my legacy to the earth and my family would be once I was no longer on this earthly realm. The question “what will others say about me when I am no longer here” or “what message will I have portrayed to those who knew me?” popped into my head a few weeks back at the most unusual time.

It all started when I was tidying up my bookshelf and organizing my craft room. I was sorting books and reminiscing about books I have read and started laughing to myself “what would the world be like if we judged each other by what we read?”

Can you imagine how confused and puzzled the world would act? Labels would have to be refined and almost tossed aside!

Think of this scenario – guys who acted macho reading harlequin books in free time! What would your mind process the information as? Could he still be macho manly man with a harlequin book in his hand?

Have you ever tried to look at someone on the street and ponder what kind of books they read? Ok, confession time I have as I love to watch people (not in creepy way) and try to incorporate what I see into my writing.

Imagine how the world would be defined if each of our perceptions of each other was based on what “great read” we held in out hand. Consider how risqué someone would be perceived as if they were reading books banned by society? Would be judge their values by what we see them read?

Suddenly I realize I have been babbling and probably not getting my point across, so I apologize!

As I was looking at the array of books I have in my arsenal, I stopped and questioned what people would perceive me as. Would future generations be confused by the vast topics I read and unable to form an opinion? Or would I be perceived as the confused one?

What do you think the world would perceive you as if they can only judge by the books on your shelf?

Here is my confession: I am a book hog and a sponge – any book that I can get my hand on I read – almost absorbs it. So my arsenal goes from true crime to religion to romance to history.

So, I wonder what my legacy would be and how the future would perceive me if looking at my kobo and my book shelf?

To be continued

The Divine Discovery

A week ago, I was out exploring with a friend in the Porcupine Mall (Porcupine,Ontario) and I discovered the greatest little store.

I felt compelled to enter this store and when I entered the greatest sense of peace came over me. I felt at home and at one with the Divine.

Harmony House Religious Book Store is filled with Christian books, music and inspirational and Divinity merchandise. The staff are the friendliest, most positive and sweetest people I have ever encountered.l

Apology for Absence and Tardiness writing

I would like to take a quick moment to apologize for my absence and thank everyone for being patient with me!

I had to remove the app for WordPress on my phone as it was having problems syncing and just now re-added it and haven’t really been on my computer last few days to week.

So far this week has been a busy week, my client finally got into Golden Manor nursing home yesterday, so Monday was organization and packing day and yesterday she was moved in morning and the stuff that was hospital was brought there,labelled right away and put away in her room.
I have small stuff to bring over throughout week that i gathered Monday but other than that, she is settled nicely.

Today, i have interview at 10am that I am in process of getting ready for (so this will be a short blog) at Extendicare Timmins.

Wish me luck!! I will update later!!

Lessons Of Life Through Elder’s Eyes

i thought today I would share some insight about what I have learned and gained from working with the elderly.

I am compelled to share as I find so many people discount what they can offer to anyone.

This is kind of a hard topic to broach for me because trying to pinpoint the most important aspects and lessons is like pulling apart a crystal to see what parts are more valuable. To me, the whole experience is a valuable and precious gem.

But for the sake of not being overbearing and boring. I will choose the lessons and tidbits that stand out to me.

Lessons On Life From Elders Eyes

1. Life can change in an instant – live everyday like its your last
(My client used to dance ballet in Europe and sing Opera in England before she moved to Canada)
2. Hold onto memories or record them in a book too quickly they can be forgotten
(Alzheimer’s and dementia robs you off your precious memories)
3. Cherish where you rest your head no matter how big or small your home
(One day your surroundings will be so foreign and strange to you – the room you took pride replaced with hospital and nursing home rooms)
4. Keep a box of special trinkets
(They can travel with you when you can no longer stay home)
5. Write letters to those you love and tuck away
(One day your voice will be lost to what you need to say)
6. Sometimes listening with your heart to what cannot be said is more important
7. Little things we take for granted will one day seem so huge when lost
8. A simple hello can cheer up a scared and feeling alone seniors day
9. Listen to the stories that they tell – wisdom and experience is hidden in the lines
10. Human touch is sometimes more important than words – its universal and can reach the farthest corners of the heart

Unique Leaves Award

Thank you to http://barbmca.wordpress.com/ for the nomination!! Much appreciated!!

My Nominations for this award are hard for me to narrow down as there are so many wonderful and unique blogs, but I will try. Please know that if your name does not hit list is just because I randomly selected list (but would have love to include all of you):

1. http://pagefortyone.com
2. http://cariwiese.wordpress.com
3. kevinbrennanbooks.wordpress.com
4. http://jumpingfromcliffs.wordpress.com
5. http://NancyYamahiro.wordpress.com
6. http://dmgreen2013.wordpress.com
7. http://raelynbarclay.wordpress.com
8. http://morguemouse.wordpress.com
9. http://thelearnedkat.wordpress.com
10. http://papermudandme.wordpress.com/

Thank you to all my friends, fans and followers for leting me share my world with you and sharing a piece of yourself with me.
Although, sometimes there are times when remembering to keep up blog can be overwhelming – I do not regret it for one moment.

Remember if I could have listed all of you – I would but it would be a very long list and an extremely long blog entry. However, I send an extra shout out and nomination to all of you as you all deserve accolades!! Keep up the great work and may the muse always be present and the whispers be loud enough to hear! God bless and have a great weekend..

P.S. To all my American friends – Happy Belated 4th of July
To all my Canadian friends – Happy Canada Day

Kobo Poetry Release: On the Wings of Hope

New and exciting news in the journey of my publishing career. I have submitted a collection of poetry called “On the Wings of Hope” to Kobo,which will be available to purchase within 48 hours.

Cost is $9.99

Cover photo is:

Liebster Nomination

Liebster Award –

“ It’s a blogger-to-blogger award that tells a fellow newbie blogger that they are making the world a more interesting /intellectual /funny /better place. For a lot of us, it comes just when we’re facing that first blogger’s block or wondering if it’s all worth it. For the rest, it’s a shower of accolades. Either way, it’s a great thing. There are no certificates or trophies, but hey, appreciation from a fellow blogger is always valued. It is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.”

 To be allowed to state that we won this award, we do need to put in some effort. It is kind of a blog chainletter award but obviously the primary motive is to recognize bloggers around the world and network.

The rules are pretty darn simple –

1. List 11 random facts about myself
2. Answer 11 questions that Neelima has set
3. Nominate 11 new bloggers for the award
4. Go back to their pages and tell these bloggers about the award

So here are 11 random facts about myself –

1. I love writing poetry – have since I was 14 years old
2. I enjoy the company of animals more that people
3. I was born in Timmins, Ontario – moved to Hunstville, ON and then to Sudbury, ON
4. I am terrified of spiders, bees and heights
5. I love doing all sorts of crafts
6. My biggest heros are my parents
7. I want to one day go to Bali and Tibet
8. My favorite book: Collected Poems of Robert Frost
9. I am a girly girly who tries to be a tomboy
10. I have no idea the rules behind hocket (to me “icing” is whats on a cake)
11. I am very shy
12. extra fact – my husband is named Jody and my brother is named Jody (they are a year apart in age and my sister in law is Melanie (she’s 7 years younger than me) – we were married 8 weeks apart from each other

Now for the answers to Neelima’s questions –

1. Favourite role model – my dad and my big brother Jody
2. Favourite fictional character from books and movie – Velveteen Rabbit, Anne of Green Gables.
3. Have you ever come across writer’s block? Suggest some ways to overcome it. – Yes, I have – I take my camera out and focus on another medium, see what inspiration I can get from pictures
4. What would be your next blog about? – How great blogging is and how great fans are
5. If you get an opportunity to interview a person who is now dead, who would you interview and why? – Shakespeare, to ask him where did he derive all the inspiration to write such masterpieces from.
6. Describe “fun” in your own words – Being there with the loved ones – travelling, hanging out et al.
7. Describe the most memorable incident of your life – Getting married July 15, 2006
8. If you are chosen to play the lead role in a movie:
   • Who would you like to be directed by? – not sure
   • Who would play the lead opposite you and why? Donnie Walberg – need a say more – come over NKOTB to Blue Bloods – plus he is YUMMY
   • Give the title of your film – Poetic Lust (hahaha)
9. Imagine you have come to know from you trusted doctor that you have 24 hours to live, enlist the things that you would want to do – Travel to Tibet – see Dali Lama
10. What is the one thing that really gets you angry – Imtolerance
11. What is the difference between being alive and truly living – People can be alive and just exist but be shut off from experiencing life, where as being truly alive and living is being present in life.

Nominations:

I can not just give 11 – there are so many of my fiends and bloggers that are great – so I send a SHOUT OUT and HURRAY to all of my fellow bloggers.. Embrace your talents and your dreams. I nominate all of you!!!

Thank you to http://bookandmoviereviewra.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/liebster-award-for-the-book-and-movie-reviewra/ for the wonderful nomination and shout out!! God Bless!!

Live Launch on Kindle

Today is an exciting day for me!! My poetry collection “”Wings of Hope” is now live and available to purchase on Kindle E-Reader.

Cost $9.99

I hope all of you will check it out!!

Please let me know if you do, so I can bestow the proper gratitude and thanks!!

God Bless

Brand New Adventures

Today I decided that it was time to swallow my fears and insecurities and put my words in a publishing format.  It was an interesting adventure to be able to pick the selected poems for a small collection of poetry that had some meaning to me.

It was especially powerful to put some very personal poetry in the collection – ones that I have not even shared on my blog.  Funny thing is that I am not even sure as to why I shared the poems on the collection – something just said “It is time!”.  I swallowed the emotions and decided that I had to follow the direction I was lead to.

Right now, it is in review status and I can feel weird “butterflies” take a hold of my stomach and do magical dances inside me.  I am very excited, nervous and scared to have shared my words in an actual published poetry format, even if just in kindle format..

I guess baby steps is better than no steps and I have to walk instead of just trying to fly.

But, the true reason for writing this post is to give a shout and thank you to all whom have encouraged me, supported me and listened to my poetry with an open heart.

I would also like to give a giant hug and thank you to David M. Green for the publishing information!! You helped me reach a small part of my dream..

God Bless Everyone.. Please look for my poetry book on the kindle library “Wings of Hope”.