Music Is Saving My Brain
I have been the music director at my church for 25 years. Over the years, I have been exposed to countless songs. My responsibilities include learning and teaching vocal parts to tenors, altos, and sopranos. I also have to memorize arrangements and lead words and vocals. The constant calisthenics that I have to engage to keep all this info at the ready is astounding.
I watched as the aging process ravaged both my parents' mental capacity. By the time my father passed away his brain had gradually shut down. He went from not. being to recall every day, simple words so he could engage in conversation, to sitting in silence, and downhill from there. My mom was not nearly as bad but I watched her struggle to remember what day it was to thinking she was the same age as me to repeatedly asking the same question over and over.
I am so thankful for being able to constantly exercise my brain through the platform that music provides. With my role as music director, I embrace the never-ending challenges to learn new music and teach parts to the rest of the vocalists. I know this helps to keep my brain stimulated and functioning on a healthy level. So, I contend that along with all the medicinal and healing properties that music provides, I certainly have benefitted by the salve of musical exposure. Oftentimes, people who haven't seen me for a long time ask me, "Are you still singing?" I want you all to know that the answer is, and will continue to be a resounding YES!
There is so much to be said about the healing and therapeutic properties of music. You most certainly are doing your body good through your ministry of music. Are there music programs in your local nursing homes? If not, perhaps you could start one in memory of your parents. You would be awesome!!
ReplyDeletea fan since late 80's early 90's and still am /singing along side Trish and my sis Yulanda
ReplyDelete"SHINING LIGHT" great music. Other than singing in church SSS (COGIC), listening to the albums and vhs recording helped me learn harmony and how to add-lib.... Your continuous commitment in ministry I've always admired and share with friends all the time... As your music has encouraged me through the years I want to say thank you for allowing God to use you and your husband and truly greatful for your gift and continuously looking for some new music... For its truly part of me that " I just can't let go" (remember that lol)
GODBLESS YOU Ralphine
Thanks for your kind and insightful comments. You have always been so encouraging.
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