Another plus for the Harmonica

During September, I spent a wonderful week visiting my lovely sister, Jody, who is 88 years old. She was diagnosed with dementia 17 years ago and just 2 years ago was upgraded to moderate level. That shows you what a remarkable woman she is to begin with – as soon as she found out, she immediately set out to do all of the things she could to work her mind and keep it going. But that is not what this is about. I wanted to share with you what happened one day at the start of the visit. We were talking about music and she said the magic words, “I could never play a musical instrument”. “I have no talent”. Well, you know what I said: “Yes you can” and “Yes you do”. Out came a Special 20 G Harp from my ANOTHER purse. “Here you go – just breathe in and out.”PLUS FOR THE HARMONICA Well, she blew in, jumped a little and then in and out, and the biggest smile lit up her face and she giggled and she was off. Breathing in and out all up and down the harmonica. “Ha ha hoo hoo” came Zoie McIntyre next and she took off with that, like she was born with the harmonica in her mouth. Because Jody falls so much, her daughter puts cams in the living room/kitchen and bedroom so she can see what happens when she falls. The one night I spent with my nephew and niece, we watched to make sure she was okay, and what a delightful sight. She was picking up the harmonica case, taking the harmonica out, looking at it, figuring out where to blow, and playing, laughing and giggling all the time. The joy she feels playing the harmonica, the fun she is having, makes me smile still as I sit here writing this.

Joy to all – keep harpin’ :)