[TPIN] An impromptu performance that brought me lots of joy.

[Jeanne G Pocius]

Bless you, John!
   
  This is the sort of ministry that I treasure....
   
  It doesn't pay well (usually not at all!), the audience is sometimes *with you* sometimes not, but often they respond and the nurses tell me they stay *with it* for hours after the music ends....
  
Keep up the great work!
Blessings,
Jeanne

John Kool <johnkool at windstream.net> wrote:
  I went to visit my mother today.
She is in a "memory" unit of a nursing home.

It was a good visit. She seemed happy. She never called me by name, 
but sometimes I think she knew who I was.

After a short while, I sent my wife to my car for my cornet.

I played a few tunes. She appreciated it, but wanted to go "home".

My mom said, "I think I know someone who makes music."

Phyllis, my wife said, "That's your son, John".

She retired to her room to take a nap, but other residents gathered.

I played a bunch of old hymns, children's tunes, folk songs.
Amazing Grace
Faith of Our Fathers
This is My Father's World
Old Rugged Cross.

My wife led some singing.
Residents joined in, tapping feet, clapping in rhythm or humming. 
Sometimes even the lyrics.

Itsy Bitsy Spider
Jimmy Cracked Corn

B-I-N-G-O
If You're Happy and You Know It
Hokey Pokey.

What a joy to watch these old folks with little memory remember songs 
and put their left foot in.

I am sure I got more of a kick out of it than they did.

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                          Jeanne Gabriel Pocius
  Author of *Trumpeting By Nature, An Efficient Guide to Optimal Trumpet Playing*
  Published by Outskirts Press (available at www.amazon.com )
  360 pages of information on embouchure, musicality, pedagogy and more!
  (978)317-4731
  Email: jgpocius at yahoo.com  
  Webpage(under construction): www.jeannegpocius.com