Music soothes the soul and takes us back...

[Patricia Grace]

Recently I blogged on another site that listening to music was a wonderful activity for a person to share with a family member that is suffering with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. Music like Alzheimer's takes us back to a memory that we associate with another time in our life.

As a child growing up (I'm now 59) I always loved the soulful sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Morgana King, Cleo Laine, Shirley Bassey, Etta James and Rae Marnie. Each of these great artist recorded a song that when I hear it, a memory is triggered of an event or a person in my life.

My father has been gone since 1984 and when I feel that my memory of him is not as crisp as I would like it to be I listen to Frank Sinatra (the early years) or Glenn Miller. As I write this I am listening to Moonlight Serenade with tears overflowing...I see that handsome young soldier dancing with the beautiful young woman with the flower in her hair...
I will have that picture in my mind forever.

Ms Marnie, thank you for your beautiful rendition of My Funny Valentine. When I first heard you sing this on Valentine's Day, it triggered the memory of my dad singing it to my mom every Valentine's Day...what a wonderful gift you and the other Ladies of Soul have. Thanks for sharing it!

Patricia Grace
Aging with Grace
800.626.9440
www.agingwithgrace.net