Carried On the Wind

 I was actually able to visit a memory care community last week. Almost all the communities SpiritCare currently serves have been closed to visitors for a month or so. During these  interruptions, I often lose my sense of rhythm. I was reminded of this when I realized I had left my Bible at home. Fortunately, our song sheets always include a few lines of scripture. Just enough, especially in memory care where too many words generally causes confusion.   

I enjoy passing out the song sheets. It gives me a chance to say hello and let people know that I am glad to see them. These moments help me get an overall sense of  who is with me that day. In this particular visit, one resident was completely focused on her coloring sheets. While her motor skills were poor, I appreciated her choice of bright colors. She even had on a sweater that was a bold red with white polka dots.  I said good morning and told her where I was placing the song sheet should she want to sing. She did not acknowledge the sheet or me, but continued with her task. I complimented her on her colors and moved on. 

I did notice that after we had sung a couple of hymns, she looked up and smiled.  She nodded her head with the music. I smiled and nodded my head in return. Afterwards, when I was gathering the song sheets, she surprised me by standing up.  She began to speak with much excitement. However she had almost no discernable voice. What I was hearing was  a rush of air. I could not make out even one word. Yet, on another level we understood one another. She pointed up and I felt certain she was enthusiastically speaking of her love of God. I just kept nodding and smiling and saying yes. It was a sweet moment that included a hug from her. I thanked her, and when we left, I waved good-bye. She did the same.  

Walking into this community is like walking into a very nice hotel. It is beautifully appointed, and the grand piano is tuned and cared for. The residents are well dressed. Yet, even wealth cannot hold Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia at bay for long, and that knowledge makes these visits even more poignant. However, God's love also knows no boundaries. I was reminded of that first Pentecost when a sound arose like wind from heaven and everyone understood one another. Such understanding is possible as long as at least one of us remembers that our native tongue is love.     

   

They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2:4      

 

image: San Leandro, January 2022