Rhythm and harmony find their way into the secret places of the soul.” Plato
Because of my interest in music as therapy, many people have been recommending the documentary Alive Inside, which shows nursing home patients, who have lost their memories and identities and often physical control, have these things returned to them in various degrees when they are reintroduced to the songs of their youth. I finally sat down to watch it and was deeply moved. For me, it validated something I knew to be true, that music reaches beyond medical ability. Soul medicine. We have been bringing music to Vernon since the beginning of his recovery journey and will continue to do so. Here is the link to the film trailer. Be prepared to be deeply moved.
So inspired was I, that I mentioned the film several times to nurses throughout the day, hoping they would say, “Oh yes, we do music therapy here too!” I am not sure yet if they get any musicians in this new place, but we’ll find a way to make it happen. I did see stacks of records in the activity hall. Vernon’s parents are coming out in a couple of weeks and they will be bringing records from Vernon’s teenager years that are still stored in their loft. I imagine handling and looking at those albums again would bring back extra memories beyond the connection of the songs. I was thinking of this today, and realized I hadn’t played music that he might have known from his earlier youth. Music that his parents played. He used to mention they listened to a lot of Glen Campbell, the Carpenters, John Denver. In fact, so warm were his old memories that before moving to the States a few years ago, Vernon would often talk about his ideal road trip across America. He’d cross the country making stops at such glamorous places as Wichita, Galveston, Pheonix, San Jose—all those wonderful places he’d learned about as a boy listening to this parent’s records.
After listening to this classic, he grew very peaceful. I asked him what it made him think of. His parent’s living room, he said. He also said it brought a good feeling.
All this thinking of memory-music today gave me another idea.
As adults, most of us don’t really make mix-tapes anymore: to put a mix together with hand-picked songs (and meanings) often to give to a friend. Vernon’s birthday is Monday, February 2nd. I haven’t known what to get him that will mean much, but then I realized we could come together to make him a ‘mix-tape’ playlist.. If you are a reader who has known Vernon, please send me the name of ONE song (either as a comment or via email) that you think he would like, or perhaps that defines a memory in your friendship. I’m sure we will end up with quite a hodge-bodge, but that is the beauty of it. Maki can help me put it together. It would be great to have it made by this Monday. Only one song each, please. Thanks so much for helping me make something special for him. He’ll love it.
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i`m there with you Vern … the lounge ..the blue chairs ..patterned carpet… Honey the dog….our home was always full of music ..the kitchen (radio) the lounge (records) ..and then when we moved to pinewood ave ..our bedrooms (records/tapes and onto cds)… in the car..there was always music!!
Alison this is an amazing idea ..have shared your post(as always) and asked the question ..hope you get lots of music ideas.as for me ..let me think of ONE song… as you may guess i have hundreds to share …
love to you all, hugs and let the music play….
what a sweet memory, Vanessa. I know you have a lot of songs in your head…but think about the one you want to send him for the list, you can always suggest others later. I know you’ll have a good time going down memory lane thinking about it! 🙂
yes Allison it will be wonderful to listen to all the “old” songs of our childhood x
have emailed you the song X ELO -MR BLUE SKY X
Oh Allison, that really spoke to me, I even remembered the words. It was Sunday nights in front of the TV. My sisters played that song on our piano too. Such sweet memories, I know it did the same for Vernon. I’ll be thinking about a Vernon song all day today and I’ll get back to you. xoxoxo
I got it!!! I Believe in Music by Mac Davis, very appropriate.
Allison,
How wonderful to make a list of songs from Vernon’s past. I have never met him but I would suggest any of Glenn Campbell or John Denver songs. Most of them are beautiful to me and to a lot of people. Wish Vernon a happy birthday from all of us in TN and elsewhere. He was born on Ground Hog Day.
Hope that he is doing better.
Becky
He WAS born on Groundhog day…kind of appropriate now, don’t you think? Its always been a special day to me, even before I met him, because my grandfather (mom’s side) died on Feb 2 many moons ago. Yes, Vernon loves those songs…such wonderful nostalgia to him. Thanks always for you and your friend’s prayers.
Allison What a grand idea! It is almost impossible for us to only send one song, but I think Steve Winwood/Eric Clapton doing Can’t Find My Way Home won out! But if for some reason you don’t get enough input our second choice would be If you could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot. Both of them are pretty nostalgic and very English (Blind Faith first sang it) I had a little thought – if you could make a bunch of CD’s of “Songs for Vernon” we could sell them at church and beyond to help with finances. I would be into that and help out!
Allison,
Just an idea:
Make the mixed tape available for download for 9.99. I’ll buy it!
Love and prayers to all
‘The Dress Looks Nice on You’ by Sufjan Stevens, from your wedding day.