Comments

Are you bringing out a paperback version of that Blog, Em? 'XD' Emily,

Thank you for posting that story. It reminds me of my own grandmother in some ways, in other ways not. She too was musical, though not to that degree, and she too lost her present tense as well. When I was little, she could play (piano) and sing all sorts of tunes from the teens and twenties--and the football songs of her brothers! Gosh how I wish we had recorded all of that! My mom and aunt can only remember some of them.

When she was in the nursing home with Alzheimers, she suddenly lost her ability to walk one day--perhaps it was a stroke. For a few months afterward, she was in a wheelchair, until one day she just stood up and walked! It was in that period that my mom was visiting her one day and she took her mom over to the piano. My grandmother started to play one hand (the other had not recovered yet) and it was a tune that my mom could play the other side to. The nurse was astonished--I think every one cried with both joy and sorrow that day.

Instead of a will gone awry, she had her Lewis siler stolen by a neighbor when she was in an apartment, and she gave the good stuff to the junk man (an original large Maxfield Parrish painting was among the gems!)...so like you say, the material things fade...but our memories we can pass on.

That tunes can be passed from generation to generation, for hundreds of years, that is perhaps one of the most human of exploits.

Regards,

Bill

That's beautiful, Emily! Thank you, Emily. Emily,
Wow...speechless I am. I wish I had known my grandpa better before he went.
Clarissa Emily, you are a fine writer...a moving essayist, a wordsmith of heart. Well, thanks guys... I'm blushing! I get a lot of inspiration these days around here. Emily, that is absolutely beautiful. You're so fortunate to have had this man as your grandfather and to have warm, pleasant memories of him. My own experiences were quite different (see my blog).

I know what you mean when you talk about the blind rage of Alzheimer's. I know a couple who lived with and cared for his elderly mother, who had Alzheimer's, for years. Sometimes they'd take out her violin and give it to her to play. She would often put it on her shoulder upside down, and they'd turn it over for her. Once she got started, she'd play pretty well, and she'd be happier and more "with it" for days afterwards. Their daughter started playing the violin around the time that the old woman passed. I remember hearing her play her first song, "We Shall Overcome." Her father said to her, "Your grandmother would be so proud of you. Do you remember how I used to play music with her? In a few years, I'll be playing music with you." He does. Now she plays quite well and attends a special high school for the performing arts. I've played violin duets with her, too, and we've both had great fun.

My own inspiration also came from my grandfather who was self taught but had a wonderful ear for music and played to the best of his ability.It was only really when I was asked to play at his funeral that I realised how much he had meant to me over the years.
The time goes on but his music is still there somewhere.
It's one thing to have talent but when you can pass some of it on is greatness beyond belief. Emily,
I am in tears after reading your blog. Family members have so much power both to inspire and to hurt one another. Thank you so much for sharing with us. She's tearin' me up too.