Discovering Something New

This morning at a Legacy gathering I listened to our leaders Mark and Sue share about bringing music and the love of Jesus to our precious elderly in memory care centers. I was taken back to a memorable moment in time when I Discovered Something New with my mother. The following is from a few years ago.

Discovering Something New was not my plan or even a thought that crossed my mind when it came to visiting my mother at her community. But I soon learned then and continue to enjoy the moments when a senior says ” I did not know that” or looks at me with wonder in their eyes. Sure there are times when what used to be known is forgotten and becomes new again. And with it a wonderful opportunity for someone to enjoy the new discovery together. However, loss of memory was not the cause of this new discovery with my mother.

For years I had heard the story of how my mother would sing lullabies to me, and only after she stopped would I stop crying and go to sleep. She declared on many occasion that she could not sing.  I do recall her teaching my brother and I “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” during a long road trip, but no other memories of her singing other than to a song on the radio or on the HiFi.

I grew up singing with my father, listening to him play his guitar, and share familiar tunes and original works with his down home Alabama style. He taught me how to play the guitar, comb and spoons but most of all how to have fun singing. Mother did not enjoy or approve of such ‘noise’ and would prefer that I listen to classical music, identifying all the instruments and aspire to sing more like Mario Lanza than Johnny Cash.

Singing became the very thing that kept me going through High School when I was introduced to Madrigals, Jazz, and Musical Theater. From then till now singing has continued to be a part of my life. And so it was only natural that I would bring some nostalgic music books to sing from for the residents at mother’s community for them to enjoy and perhaps sing along. And mother could help me turn pages to participate.

And that’s when it happened, the new discovery that touched my heart and soul. Not only did my mother sing along with me, but she would be found singing by herself when I did not know the song. And she had a beautiful strong voice. I fondly remember the nights when we sat at the piano singing together after everyone else had gone to bed. She sat on the end of the piano bench, turning each page and saying ya or nay to each song. I was astonished that not only did she sing with me, but at the number of songs she knew so well, even country ballads!

What she had hidden or not disclosed to me all those years had become a new discovery for both of us. And well into her last days I would continue to sing with her. A New Discovery for both of us resulted in moments of delight, enjoyment and time spent that provided a lasting memory for me.

A new discovery can be found in the simplest things in life. Sometime all it takes is a conversation or just sharing what brings you joy. And it can happen at any stage in life, as we truly never stop learning or “Discovering Something New”.

---

Oh the thought of that moment when I close my eyes and awake in Heaven. Absolute joy, love and eternal life beyond any hope or new discovery in this life. In the meantime may I share what you, Jesus have gifted me with to encourage and bless others in your name.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.”
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

---

Thank you for your time today. I hope you have been encouraged and will be eagerly anticipating and ready for that new discovery that just may present itself to you in the coming days. May God encourage and bless you as you share your life, time and love with others.
Pati

Should you find yourself looking for hymns or scripture readings to share with someone or listen to yourself, please click on my resources page where you will find a link to “Hope for the Journey“.

---

Footnote: Just a few short years after this past post my mother died and I believe entered the presence of Jesus. In this brief time I was Discovering Something New almost daily as I managed her care and learned so much about her. On another post I will share more about her and how God used her journey to lead me onto my next one and even the one I am on now.

---

I welcome your input, please feel free to reply to me through this email, or via my connect page.