Thought for the Week

by Rob Fry

UNLIKE most residents, Mum has recently passed the five year anniversary of going into a care home. Others seem to go “downhill” before that, but she’s clearly made of strong stuff! It wasn’t a date to mark, She has no clue of the significance of the date, or even who we are, yet the sands of time keep falling, like the leaves on the trees at this time of year.

Before the care home (which is very good) Dad cared for her through the day and through the sleepless wanderings of the night. A loyal soldier who continues to visit her on a daily basis, fully committed, faithful to the end…

One short break to this routine was respite in the form of a day centre (its closed now, which doesn’t seem like a good idea) but once a week she was cared for there and father could do what he needed to do. Mum went willingly, but her face said otherwise, whenever I could I’d save her from that and we’d go out for the day. Maybe she knew who her chauffeur and butler was, maybe not? But I’d drive, taking the longest route possible to the usual destinations! The conversations by then were seldom deep and they were always repetitive, though I wouldn’t have missed them for the world.

During the late fifties and sixties she had worked in my uncle's music shop, so our drives through the countryside or to the coast were brought to life by the songs of Lennon & McCartney and co. Mum was never a “Play it loud” woman, but in that instant, the volume was up, and we sung out at the very top of our voices! Her name is Joy and for that fleeting moment – joy was certainly in the car! What is it with a song? You may not hear it for years, or even think “I’ve never heard this before” or you’ve forgotten its name, yet when the intro starts up; you don’t miss a word or line, and we didn’t. The words and music created a level playing field in which we could both enter into and share equally. As someone else penned in another decade “Thank you for the music…” We’d all be poorer without it.

My customers will vouch that I have the radio on, as I work though the day. They’ll witness the “enthusiasm” of my vocals (with gusto!) Singing, yes, but also remembering my family, friends, cherished special times and a life most blessed.