Visiting Journal

“How is everyone doing today?” I ask the residents of Atria Marland Place, with a great big heap of heartfelt enthusiasm. There’s no response. “It’s a beautiful sunny day out, what a perfect day to share some music!” I add, trying to engage the crowd. Still, I am left with silence and a crowd of unblinking eyes. Finally, one resident with beautiful curly white hair raises her voice and declares that “It’s too cold in here.” Plain and simple. My translation: get on with the show! I smile, unsure of what to say, and then announce the first song. As the visit continues, I start to see the residents draw in, listening and relaxing back in their chairs. An older gentleman I come to know is named Peter, closes his eyes, listening to Nuvole Bianche coming from the piano, and begins to gently tap his foot in time to the beat. Another woman, Brenda, takes out her cell phone when Erin, our beyond incredible vocalist, begins singing Where the Boys Are. She mentions to her seatmate about how her daughter will love this and starts recording a voice memo. I glance to the woman from before, the one with the beautiful curly white hair, and see that she still sits with her arms crossed. I’m a bit trepidatious as I get up to sing our next song, Moon River, accompanied by my brother on the piano. About halfway through the song I hear the most angelic harmony coming from the crowd - it's her, gently singing along, with eyes now bright and full of memory. Once the song ends she applauds the loudest, and comes up to talk with me. “I love Moon River. It was mine and my husband’s favorite. I haven’t listened to it since he passed last spring,” she says. Seeing her transformation fills me with emotion. “I’m so sorry to hear that, but I’m very glad you enjoyed the song!” I say as she takes my hand. “You’ve brought me such joy today, thank you very much,” she says. With that, she took hold of her walker and headed back to her room, a slightly perceptible smile on her face. I can still hear her humming the song to herself as she turned the corner, out of sight.