Our experience of singing together at the piano every evening was consistently transformative, one which created a remarkable spiritual connection. For Mother, the daughter of a Mennonite bishop, the value of hymns as theology and poetry was priceless, providing her an expression of her core beliefs. This was sacred ground. We also grew a vast secular repertoire while belting out Broadway show tunes, jazz, blues, spirituals, gospel, and ballads. We had literally hundreds of favorites. Of special significance for an older person living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s – one of our greatest music pleasures was in constantly learning new and challenging material.

NEXT – see other Real Life Pleasures – Creating Community.