photo@VictorandSarahPotter
Ruth stared at the web, twiddling her fingers and humming. Over and over the same gestures and the same melody. Her voice was cracked, her hand so arthritic that her fingers barely moved.
“What is she thinking?” whispered Ellen, Ruth’s daughter.
“Hard to say,”responded the nurse. We don’t know, at this advanced stage, if there is any cognition.”
Ellen’s son, who was eight, walked up to his grandmother.
“Hi, Grammy. Can I sing with you?”
No response.
So Brady started singing, using his hands to do the motions.
“The itsy bitsys spider went up the water spout. . . ”
Ruth smiled.
Very believable. They say a song may touch a memory somewhere and bring some glimmer of understanding even when there’s no response otherwise.
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Music therapy is becoming more and more useful in helping people with all forms of dementia. I love it.
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Strange that this photo generated the same ‘dementia’-type stories in a few of us. Yours was gently done, with humour.
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Thanks, Sandra. I never read anyone else’s story before writing my own–too afraid of being influenced!
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Yes, I’m the same.
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The part of me that sees horror stories wonders if Ruth has been spinning a web of her own. Poor Brady. No, just kidding. It’s very endearing.
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Nope, no horror story here–except that Alzheimer’s truly is a horror.
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Dear Linda,
This one made a lump rise in my throat. Such a wonderful story. Brava!!!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much.
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Dear Linda
A heart-warming and believable story. You’ve painted a vivid picture.
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Thanks, Penny.
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I believed this
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Excellent! Thank you 🙂
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Great shot. I know those webs are super hard to get a photo of.
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This is not my photo–credit is given under the picture. Just wanted to make sure I’m not being credited with something I don’t deserve 🙂
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A lovely moment between generations. Well written.
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Thanks, Lain.
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Beautifully done, Linda. They say old-age is second childhood. Naturally, Brady could connect with his grandma.
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You’re right. Kids see things more simply, and it’s a beautiful thing.
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A poignant tale, wonderfully written. I love that rhyme too and so does my daughter and it rhymes so well with the picture prompt .🙂
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I hope there is no generation that hasn’t sung about the itsy bitsy spider 🙂
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Ah, that’s so lovely. A spark of connection for her in a world that’s receding. Lovely story
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Thank you, Lynn.
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My pleasure
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Oh this is lovely. How wonderful a child could break through into her consciousness.
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Thanks 🙂
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Lovely story. Brady obviously hit a chord.
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Nice play on the word, there, Irene 🙂
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I don’t really believe there is no cognition. I believe they just can’t get it out.
Good story.
Scott
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2018/01/10/welcome-to-my-parlor/
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I agree with you, Scott. They just retreat into their earliest memories.
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agreed.
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Beautifully done, Linda. Music therapy is proving to be a huge help with these patients. What better than a grandson participating?
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Thanks,Dale.Music is such an important part of my life!
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Superbly written. I could totally imagine this
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
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Thanks so much.
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What a lovely, poignant tale. But I’m surprised the prompt took so many writers this time on the Alzheimers/Dementia trail. That is why these prompts are so interesting, one never knows what leads to what.
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o true. And I never read what anyone else has written until I finish my own, so I won’t be influenced. It really is interesting.
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it looks like the grandson hit it right in the head. 🙂
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Indeed he did.
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Quite sweet, despite the situation with poor Ruth.
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Yes, but you know, once one has descended that far into dementia, and don’t think they know how much they’ve lost.
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This is such a poignant story! Very lovingly and delicately told.
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Thank you 🙂
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Ah, lovely! It takes one to know one—child and child-like 🙂
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Exactly 🙂
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🙂
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Nice story of old age and its related problems..Very nicely described
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Thanks! You know, every time I see your name I think ob baklava, that wonderful sweet Greek pastry 🙂
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Baklava is also a Turkish pastry…o love baklava and am happy my name resonates with it 😂😂
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I remember well, when working with people suffering from dementia in a psychiatric unit, how often music triggered memories in my clients when nothing else could do so. It would often lift their mood, too, although sometimes it brought tears to their eyes, but not necessarily sad tears, as they were often smiling while crying.
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Have you read “Musicophilia” by Oliver Sachs? He talks a lot about using music as therapy for dementia.
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I’ve heard of it, but haven’t read it. I must check it out.
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I think you will love it. Sadly, the author has passed away.
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…but how wonderful that an author’s words still live on after death 🙂
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The simplest of things are often the most effective. A child, a song and a memory. Delightful.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thanks, Keith. I really enjoyed your story earlier this morning. Still makes me smile 🙂
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The link between child and grandparent can be very strong.
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Great post, Linda. This one touched my heart. I’d put a tip in the jar if I only had a brain. 🙂
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Well, let’s see–how about a paypal account? 🙂
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Oh, the wisdom and intuition of a child makes my heart melt. Beautiful story for the image.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Sometimes it just takes a child to understand. Well done, Linda!
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Thanks, Sascha 🙂
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That was written very nicely Linda. A sweet story. 🙂
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Thank you, Norma 🙂
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Delightful story 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Brady made my eyes wet. Ya gotta love a child’s innocence. Thanks Linda, I needed that.
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Thanks so much, Dan.
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Such a sweet story. Nicely done.
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Thank you!
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This was so sweet.
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Thanks, Dawn 🙂
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Her second childhood! No wonder Brady guessed what she was up to 🙂 Beautifully done Linda
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Thanks so much
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A lovely, if sad, tale. It is heartening to read that Brady still sees his grand mother as she might be.
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Through the eyes of a child 🙂
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I remember how my mother could be touched by music… somehow it was the last thing that left her… not sure what stirs her any longer.
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So sad, Bjorn. I’m sorry.
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A lovely story, Linda. Sometimes children understand problems better than adults. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It works every time. Let’s all keep singing for those who need it.
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This story breaks and warms my heart at the same time. You’ve written it with such sensitivity.
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Thanks. Exactly what I was aiming for 🙂
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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This is such a touching way to approach a very devastating illness that affects everyone who has ever known the person but; especially, family. I know someone with dementia and it is a theif in the night disease. I pray they discover ways of curing this. A superb story, Linda.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you. You’re right, Alzheimer’s is a thief. A friend of mine nursed her father for years, and she called it “the long goodbye.”
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Funny how it’s the nursery rhymes that stick with us even to the end. Lovely flash piece. @sheilamgood at Cow Pasture Chronicles
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Thanks, Sheila.
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