My grandmother loved gospel hymns. Whether working in the garden or busying about the house, she was always singing. For her 90th birthday this past January, I bought her a three-CD set of gospel songs - a perfect gift for her. She just loved them.

This summer as the Alzheimers began to worsen, Memas agitation level was often quite high. Playing those CDs put her at ease and gave her something to focus on. There wasnt a day that went by that my mom or PawPaw didnt play the CDs for her. The music calmed her and gave her peace.

Although I wasnt able to go home to be with Mema in her last days with us, I talked to her on the phone several times. She didnt really respond much, but one morning I sang to her. As I sang, her grip on the hospital bed loosened, her face gave way to calm, and I knew that she heard me. While she wasnt able to respond verbally, the peace and relaxed way about her told me that she had heard, and knew that I loved her. A moment Ill forever cherish.

On the day of her funeral, I sang again for my Mema. Ill Fly Away. It was one of the songs that I remember her singing in my youth, a song that always brought her joy, a song that I gave back to her as a goodbye. I love my Mema and all that she taught me and Im so happy that I was able to connect with her in song. What a precious gift.

Available at Oscraps:
Nancy Kubo - Spring Bliss background paper, graphics & white paper from Papermelon Kit

Available at The Digichick:
ChereKaye - Watercolor Wings
Andrea Burns - Garden Gems
Tamra Burwick - Any Given Sunday Alpha

Kimberly Giarrusso & Amber Clegg - Eclectic Connections (background paper, used as overlay, flower, ribbon, striped paper)
Katie Pertiet - Posted Spring, stamp