“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.” Psalm 135:3
Throughout my childhood, there was always music in our house; especially during the holidays or at family gatherings. My mother, aunt and grandmother could think of a song for every situation, and would break out in random songs at any point in time. My mother and aunt still do that to this day, and my sister, cousin, and I have found ourselves keeping the tradition alive.
During the last few months of my grandmother’s life, her memory was starting to fade and it was difficult for her to remember names, dates, or almost anything. This made it hard for anyone to communicate with her; but the one way she could communicate was through song. She loved to sing, and did so for many years in our church choir. Although her memory was fading she could remember a few song lyrics. I would take my son, who was about eight months old, to visit her, and she couldn’t remember if he was a boy or a girl, but she could sing to him. The song that she loved to sing the most was, You Are My Sunshine, and for the most part she knew every word to every verse.
Still to this day when I hear that song it makes me think of her and the wonderful memories we shared. My little boy might not remember his great grandmother, but when we sing, You Are My Sunshine, we take about her and how much she loved him. I’m so grateful that God gave us the ability to communicate in so many ways. At that point in her life she couldn’t communicate through speaking, but she could through songs. Their relationship was built through music, and for that I will be forever grateful.
Taylor Easttom, Director of Children’s Ministry-Edmond Campus
