I've been working at a nursing home for 3 years in activities. Each Saturday, I go room to room singing with residents who are bed ridden or do not come out of their rooms. For the last 3 weeks, all of the residents have been instructed to stay in their rooms due to covoid 19 precautions.
Today, I made my last round of singing room to room until the pandemic subsides. It was a hard decision to step away but better to do so now and be safe
Today's musical visits were very touching to me. I sat with Ms. C. for a long time and we sang many songs from her childhood camp and church songbook. C. is someone who attends all activities and she's very social. Being quarantined to her room has been hard on her. Today though, we escaped the feelings of sadness and isolation through sharing of songs. We sang some of our favorites, 'We Shall Not Be Moved," "Keep on the Sunny Side," "Do Lord," "I'll Fly Away." She sang some of the songs I don't know for me, "Red, Red Robin, ""When the Roll is Called up Yonder." I always feel uplifted from being around her. She endures her suffering (she is wheelchair bound and usually in a lot of pain) without complaint and always finds a way to have a positive outlook.
I also loved singing with Mr. M. I know he loves old Motown and we sang, "My Girl" first. Lots of smiles and laughter with that song. When I started to sing, "Stand By Me," Mr. M. sang along while wiping his tears away with a handkerchief. We then sang a few songs by Bill Withers, who just passed away. "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine" were particularly poignant for the times.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when I am there because there are so many of them and only one of me. Yet when we sing, the sadness melts away and they help me just as much as I hope to be helping them.
We're gonna get through this. We got this.
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