Good morning…
A longtime friend has also had a loved one fighting for life in the ICU this month. We have been exchanging private prayers and texting one another updates most every day. She wrote me an email after this week’s blog post My Mom’s Bumpy Ride Home, a post which ended with a music video of Willie Nelson singing in 1977.
My friend’s thoughts fascinate me as we consider how God creatively brings to life our brilliant brains.
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Hi, Sue.
Here’s a whirl around my mind today, while reading your blog. It’s so energizing to hear about the ways you and your siblings are supporting your folks with such love on this new part of their life journey.
Your song for today is one I know for sure. Good ole’ Willie. Not a voice all of us can listen to with pleasure. But it reminds me to tell you. . .
In the last number of weeks, I am listening to Mozart while driving. Given the other things going on in life, it really helps my brain stay focused and aware, instead of distracted by the news on the radio, which is a habit of mine.
Maybe 20 years ago a book called “The Mozart Effect” was published, about autism and the use of certain types of music to help brains organize and quiet. I thought it surely applied also to people with Alzheimer’s, though I am no scientist. Just made sense to me. I had observed people’s moods change when music they recognized was played, while working with seniors.
From what I’ve read, music is the last memory to go for all of us. In senior residential care, music is often used in a variety of activities to connect people’s minds and hearts so it may be possible for them to enjoy more pleasant days. Chords of music we enjoyed growing up connect our minds to a type of heart joy we experienced back then. Singing along. Dancing. Being with friends hanging out. Going to see a favorite singer. Celebrating big events. This is a very useful connection.
Of course, this all fits with neuroplasticity of our brain cells and the ability to change our minds, to help ourselves out of false living and into the truth of living with “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Music we love is a great tool and a wonderful gift. As is your writing about it. Thank you for the ways you share life experiences and understanding so thoughtfully and generously. God loves us through you, Sue.
Now, I’m humming “if you’ve got the money, honey” to myself all day!
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“It’s so amazing to ride in your passenger’s seat as we take a whirl around your mind,” I wrote. “Thanks for taking me on your journey of vibrant expression. Might I use your thoughts anonymously to craft a blog post if the Spirit of God ignites these connections?”
“If you and the HS want to,” her final email nodded.
So, when you pray in your private prayer language, don’t hoard the experience for yourself. Pray for the insight and ability to bring others into that intimacy (1 Corinthians 14:13, MSG).
…Sue…
