Memories (originally published September 28)

Many people “kid” about their memories. We joke about being too old to remember certain things or we say that we are too young to start forgetting important information. If the truth is known, however, we all forget things and (sometimes) remember very odd things.

One thing that stays with us for many years is music. We can recall songs from our youth nearly instantly when we hear them. This was brought to my attention in a very strong way a few days ago.

Visiting with my grandparents in an assisted living home, we decided to sing “together” (which usually means we sing and they listen). That particular day was very pretty outside, and the home had taken several residents out for some fresh air. We were sitting on the porch with about 10 residents as we began singing grand old songs like “Jesus, Hold My Hand,” “Beautiful” and “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.”

I don’t know many of the residents in the home, but, as we began to sing, some started mouthing the words and others were singing right along—note for note. After a song or two, my mom whispered to us, “They never talk.” It took me a minute to figure out what she meant. After a moment, though, it dawned on me what she was meaning. Each of the residents on the porch that sunny Friday morning was an Altzheimer’s patient. Many of them, literally, never said a word. And, yet, here they were, singing these beautiful old hymns of praise and devotion to God.

What spiritual lesson did I take from that morning? Actually, there were several, but there was one that I hope I never forget.

The lesson? What goes in…comes out!

Over the many years of these wonderful people’s lives, they had put these songs in their minds. Now, even debilitated by mental problems, it was these old hymns that came out. What can we apply from this?

• Parents, what are we allowing our children to put into their minds? What songs will they most remember when they are 60, 70 or older?
• Adults, what do we feed our minds? Do we ever open a songbook with our family and sing?

These dear, sweet folks taught me a lesson on that beautiful day. “Whatever things are lovely…think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).