SINGING, MUSIC and READING

David singing with members of our wonderful Sharer's Sunday School Class

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

I never thought we'd own an I Pod, but we are the proud owners of two. I bought one and downloaded all of our favorite music. I  dock it into our speakers scattered throughout the house, and we have beautiful music in every room.

Last  Christmas our sister in law surprised us with an I Pod Shuffle. She loaded the I Pod with beautiful music  she has collected.  

I've noticed when the house is quiet,  David seems withdrawn.     When I turn the music on he perks up....... . David has always loved music!

One Christmas we gave him this church bench engraved with his name and music notes

David didn't take the time to sing in the choir when he was younger, but our daughter was always   encouraging  him to join, and to our delight, when he no longer worked for Coca-Cola he found more time, and he joined our church choir. The choir was a very important part of his life for the past 10+ years.    The  members were like family, and the  director  just happens to be our very dear friend.. who is like family.  It was so touching for me to see the men in the choir help David find the pages in the hymnal.  He stopped singing in the choir over a year ago;  it was getting too hard for him to find his place when a song had more than one verse. 

David has always been an avid reader!     I 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 the San Antonio paper from cover to cover each day.  I have know idea how much he comprehends........oh well.

David can't write or draw,  add or subtract, dial the telephone, use the TV remote control, cordless telephone, microwave etc.   However, he can answer our simple telephone (photo of our simple phone) it only requires him to pick up the receiver to answer.  

I hate Alzheimer's  ... it takes so much!!    I must remember what he can still do and his sweet disposition (most of the time).We still have so much to be thankful for!!!!!!   

And I say, " thank you God that David can walk the dog, sweep the patio, read, enjoy listening to music, enjoys every meal, answer the telephone, and  he usually remembers to tell me whose called."