MUSIC and READING

Studies have shown that listening to the 'right type' of music is good for the brain, and we know that it can be calming for the nerves, good for the soul, and also causes us to reflect on memories past. Our home is never quiet...... we have music playing or the TV going when we're awake.

I never thought we'd own one I Pod, but we are now the proud owners of two I Pod's. I bought one and downloaded all of our favorite music. I can dock it into our speakers, and we have beautiful music playing throughout the house.

For Christmas, my sweet sister in law surprised us with an I Pod Shuffle. She loaded the I Pod with beautiful music that she has collected. David can sit or walk and listen to this wonderful.....calming music. It's fun for him to listen to all the different types of music on both I Pod's......., and I think therapeutic.

I've noticed when the house is quiet, he seems withdrawn, and when I turn the music on, he perks up....... . David has always loved music, and he's really enjoying listening to all the different varieties of beautiful music!!

David was too busy with his work to sing in the choir when he was younger, but our daughter, Karen ...... would encourage him to join the choir. To our delight, when he no longer worked for Coca-Cola, he found more time, and he joined our church choir. The choir has been a very important part of his life for the past 10 years. The choir members are like family, and the choir director just happens to be our very dear friend, who is like family. It has been so sweet and touching for me to see the men in the choir help David find the pages in the book. David isn't offended by anyone helping him, he appreciates the help.

David stopped singing in the choir a couple of months ago, it was getting harder for him to find his place, when a song has more than one verse. For now we're taking it a week at a time...., and hoping he can start back again in the spring. I will try copying the songs on a sheet of paper, in large print, and he can read this without trying to find the second verse.

David has always been an avid reader! Thank God he can still read!!!!! When he isn't walking the dog or sweeping the patio, he's reading. He reads the Wall Street Journal and local papers from cover to cover.

Alzheimer's is the strangest disease! It affects everyone who has it, in a different way. For now, David reads......reads......reads, but he can't write, sign his name, or dial the telephone. However, he can answer our simple telephone (photo of our simple phone)that only requires him to pick up the receiver.

I thank God that he can walk the dog, sweep the patio, read, answer the telephone, and usually remember to tell me whose called. We have so much to be thankful for!!!!!!