Grandma’s Music

My trip to Idaho a few months ago was good but hard. It was wonderful to be with Grandpa and Grandma for a week, and yet difficult to see them struggle with their bodies that don’t work like they used to. Grandma speaks the truth when she says “My forgetter is getting better.” My nickname became “Lifesaver Shari” because when she lost things I found them! When I made meals for them they would both comment that I make it look so easy.   Many chores that used to be every day and normal for them have now become overwhelming.

The second morning I was at their home I came out of my bedroom as Grandma was walking by. She looked at me and said with a surprised look on her face “Oh, I didn’t know you were here!” But I quickly assured her that I had been there for a day or so and she was fine with that. I have become her mother, and she my young child. She is so quick to ask if she can help with lunch or dinner and is eager to do whatever I ask. I felt both honored to be able to assist them, yet found it difficult to navigate my new role.

In the midst of all that, an amazing thing happened on that second day at their home. I asked Grandma if she would play some songs on the piano. At first she didn’t want to, but I told her I really wanted to hear someone else play besides me. So I got out the hymnbook, turned to the table of contents and starting in the A’s looked to see which songs she would know. Because her sight is so poor she is unable to read music anymore, but because she has everything memorized it wasn’t necessary for her to read at all, just think and play. So I said, Abide with Me. She thought for about 5 seconds and played it perfectly.  Amazing Grace.   Again, 5 seconds of thought and another beautiful rendition, complete with modulations into other keys. After she had played about 5 songs that I had asked for she suddenly transitioned smoothly into It is No Secret without my asking. Then I said Because He Lives, which she played flawlessly, then came back again to It is No Secret. Then all of sudden a rollicking version of You Are My Sunshine.   Then …Secret again. A few more songs of my request, and then Have Thine Own Way, Lord.

For the next 45 minutes or so she would continue to intersperse those three songs (It Is No Secret, You Are My Sunshine, Have Thine Own Way) in between the many other songs that I requested. She repeated no other songs, just those three. So I figured God wanted me to sit down and think on those songs for a bit.

Because of our living in the times that we do, these three songs were exactly what I needed to hear. God has always provided for us in the past, and I have no doubt that He will continue in the future. We just don’t know what that future is….yet.

I found it so amazing that Grandma, although she was not able to remember my answer to a question she had asked one minute earlier, could minister to me through her playing of songs that she loved and were embedded in her mind and heart for decades. It was probably my most memorable time in Idaho this year.

One more little tidbit ~ when we were driving to Washington that week I would look in the backseat once in a while and often see Grandpa and Grandma holding hands. Then once she started singing  You are My Sunshine, and she said to my sister Rhonda and me “Your dad’s a keeper!” After being married 64 years that was like music to my ears.

Love, Mom

In case you don’t know the words to those three songs, I’ve printed them below – some I haven’t heard for decades.

It Is No Secret

The chimes of time ring out the news

Another day is through

Someone slipped and fell

Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength

Your courage to renew

Do not be disheartened

I have news for you.

It is no secret what God can do

What he has done for others

He’ll do for you

With arms wide open

He’ll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do.

There is no night, for in His light

You’ll never walk alone

You’ll always feel at home wherever you may roam.

There is no power can conquer you

.While God is on your side

Take Him at His promise

Don’t run away and hide.

You Are My Sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are gray

You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you

Please don’t take my sunshine away.

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way.

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way

Search me and try me, Master today!

Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now.

As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way.

Wounded and weary, help me I pray.

Power all power, surely is Thine

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way.

Hold o’er my being absolute sway!

Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see

Christ only, always, living in me!