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There is one beautiful moment that stands out for me and that is when music transformed a silent, withdrawn and confused woman into a singing and responsive individual.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.

Book review

Once in awhile, God brings into our life wonderfully unexpected gifts and they change out lives for the better.

Everyone who knows me or reads my posts knows that one of my passions is not just writing (ok – attempting to write) but reading. I find my mind is like a dry sponge constantly seeking out book treasures like water.

Last week, God granted me the chance to win an amazing gift from GoodReads and blessed me with a wonderful and rare treasure.

I have in my possession an ADVANCED copy of “Mating for Life” by Marissa Stapley (Canadian writer).

At first, I wasn’t sure of whether I would like the book because I made the rookie mistake of judging the tile and thinking it was a sappy love story.
I had made a vow that no matter what the book I was given, I would keep an open mind and at least read it.

Once, I started reading this gem I could not put it down as it is so masterfully written and pulls at every emotion in mankind’s arsenol. The characters in this story are relatable as many times I saw glimpses of myself in this book.

Although, I am still reading it I thought that I needed to share with everyone and tell them to keep an eye out for June 24th when it is released.

Back to my book, but before I do here is a picture of it to help etch in your memory.

Extraordinary Pearls of Gratitude For Every Day Moments

I once again have forgotten to share my gratitude list with my friends, followers and fans.

I sometimes get to caught up in the every day and forget to take the time to stop and remember – my apologies. 

Sometimes I also caught up in the news of things – all the tragedies and stories surrounding this world.. It bogs me down at times. 

Let’s see what shall we call this blog.. 

Pearls of Gratitude:

1. As always my loving husband – I can’t even begin to ponder what would have happened without him during my darkest hours – he’s a rock

2. Lasting 7 years together married (July 15th our anniversary) and 12 years together total..  

3. Ordinary moments that are made special when I spend time with Shadow

4. My creative muses

5. The friends,fans and followers who voted for me during contest.. (There is still time for those who haven’t voted – contest ends 22nd)

6. A break in the humidity and heat = even though I would take heat over -30 Celsius any day – the humidity makes it hard to breath (asthma and humidity not a fun combo)

7. Another day where it was a good day – no “lows” – no “dragon” yet 🙂

8. All the great blogs I have read lately – you give me inspiration.. 

9. Completing or coming very close to completing goals

10. God’s grace and support. 

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I hope everyone has a great weekend.. Have fun, be safe and God Bless!!

 

 

Random Shots

Photo Fun – More to Come – Stay Tuned

 

 

 

 

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

Cup of Gratitude Tea

 

 

I want to apologize for my earlier rant – I honesty try to usually see the good in people but

it can be difficult when the bad in them hits you upside the face.  It is especially hard to

overcome that when one of the triggers of my anxiety disorder and depression is feeling

judged and ridiculed.   I am not sure why I am sharing this information, but something struck

a cord in me and said “share this story”.  Hopefully, in some small way it helps someone.

I looked through the posts in my reader about poems about depression and people dealing

with mental illnesses and I get such a feeling of connection with everyone who is trying to

“slay this dragon” on top of fighting the sting of stigma from society.

I hope that my stories, poems etc.. help others realize that they are not alone and that

sometimes even a caring stranger can lend an ear.

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I want to end this night on a semi=positive note, so I will first say I took a very big step and emailed the person in charge of group and let him know how I felt and declined interest in group.  Which I did not do for a response, just to get it off my plate and off my mind – some may say it was on my plate because I wanted it to be there but seriously the baggage is not wanted and not welcome. Believe me, I have enough of my own.  I was very proud of myself for how I wrote it and was honest and somewhat diplomatic about it..

But to end of a note of gratituade – here is my cup of gratitude tea

1. A very loving and supportive husband

2. My own inner strength to find my voice

3. My creative muse and angels

4. Divine guidance and support

5. The ability to once again feel happy and excited about aspects of life

6. My dog Shadow – although he is goofy  – he is my fur baby (8 years old)

7. Smell of fresh rain on clean grass

8. Moments with my client (83 years old) – I learn more than I can say from her

9. Opportunities that present themselves to me

10. Peace of mind and acceptance for what I cannot change (a work in progress but still workable)

11. All my fans, friends and followers on this blog – THANK YOU…

12. Friends, family and people who make a single appearance

13, Waking up every morning with a chance to start over again.

 

 

 

Looking glass

Looking back upon the years

Passed by so quickly

I wonder where lost time goes

Does it float around in universe?

For so much is left unaccomplished

Dreams frozen and lost due to fear

Every goal we do not attempt

Holds us back from our true self

Spell Caster

Beacons of colours
Captivate
Hypnotizing all

Casting a spell
Enticing
Minions they become

Handle With Care

Masks worn proudly
Hide away
The worn soul
Once so radiant
Could light a black sky
Now just flickering on low
Chipped and tarnished
Her gentle spirit
Leaving a cold dark shell
Her nights are full of visions
Scars from her past
Secrets she can’t tell
On the outside
A glued on smile
Inside she is drowning in tears
Terrified to reach out
Rejection her fear
Pretending she needs no one
Blinded to her true beauty
Full of self hate
Deems herself unloved
Pushes away everyone
Afraid to care
Tells herself safer this way
Patience is needed
Handle with care
A delicate soul
She is hidden inside
Cowering in corner
Needing now is kindness