Music Makes Me Happy

To this day my one brother still marvels at the music collection I once had through my

pre- teen and teenage years. Yes, it was quite the collection for such an avid fan of music. But for the longest time I could never figure out how someone who has such a love affair with music never took that passion to greater heights by either playing an instrument or excel in singing (I kind of liken my singing to that of Fred Flinstone, I sing great in the shower or alone in the car).

It wasn't until I unfortunately had to watch mom struggle through Dementia where I gained much insight and knowledge into the importance of music and not just using it as a talent to further one's career.

For Dementia and Alzheimer's patients, music plays an important part in giving them peace, especially in those later stages of the disease where they have no clue as to what is going on, or they find themselves in the sundowners stage of Dementia where anger is the primary emotion.

Many days when mom was still at home you could find her on the couch just sitting there listening to the music on the television as dad would have the YouTube app playing either old time gospel music or The Boston Pops Orchestra. Mom was in her happy place, though she was oblivious at times of her surroundings.

As a child I sometimes had recurring fevers which kept me home from school and you could find me lying in bed all day just listening to music. Later, in my teenager days I would do my homework while wearing those enormous headphones that made your ears sweat, music soothing my brain while trying to grasp the study at hand.

Today, music plays an important part of my daily life. It doesn't matter how good or bad I sing, or how much I mess up the lyrics, music is my happy place. A place where joy, peace and harmony come together.

Attached is one of mom's favorite songs that got her through the battle of Dementia. A song we played at her funeral just a couple months ago. A song that reminds us that our life can be found within the depth of God's love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ajY-xEw6ZU&list=PLw8GqEcRp-nN_7p2O-9Q4Aa_vkNosQPd8