Peaceful Haircut

Yesterday, when I arrived, Mike was sitting in the dining room, clutching his Vikings pillow and sound asleep. The CNA started to wake him, but I asked her not to. It was so nice to see him peaceful, and after a while I took the opportunity to try to trim his fingernails. I successfully finished one hand, but when I tried to move the pillow from the other hand, he, Mr. Omm and his body woke up. One by one with pauses in-between, I was able to clip his right-hand fingernails, but trying to smooth them with the file was out of the question. 

We walked the halls and briefly went outside before Dot was ready to cut his hair. I handed him his new Sports Illustrated and he sat very still - partly looking at the magazine and partly napping. I was so glad! It makes it much easier and less stressful for everyone. Trazodone was started during the day last Friday, and may have contributed to his calmness while getting his hair cut, but otherwise he was much the same. We did walk more than we have recently, so that was a plus also.

A dear friend from our missionary days sent me an email after my last post and shared a couple of stories from his time of visiting people with dementia or cognitive illness and how it was apparent "that we can communicate in the spirit what we cannot communicate in the flesh." He shared that even though the person could not remember names or possibly even who they were, when he read the Bible to them it awakened their spirit. His letter was such an encouragement to me and I want to share portions with you.

"...she did not remember her husbands name. But when I read the Bible to her, she would repeat with me the Psalms that she knew and she also would speak her husbands name when we prayed together. Her memory came back as God spoke to her spirit through his word and prayer." 

"...he went on to teach me the meaning of the Psalm where just minutes before he couldn’t even make sense of who he was....I hope that gives you some encouragement that Mike is most probably communicating with God in his spirit. His body is being controlled physically by the brain damage, but his spirit is alive, whole and well."

What comfort and renewed purpose those words have given me. As I read the email, I was convicted and ashamed to realize that I rarely read the Bible or sing hymns to Mike any more. It used to be a regular practice, but with no seeming response from Mike, it began to slip away more and more. These stories reminded me of when Mike joined me in singing Amazing Grace while recovering from his accident. If I remember correctly, he had not spoken up til that time. I would regularly sit by his bed and read Scripture and sing hymns. It was the sweetest sound ever when I heard his voice joining mine.

Even at The Harbor when he was agitated or uncooperative, he would often calm down if I began to sing to him. I have tried it at AH&R, but so far it has not worked. He may pause from his ommms for a few seconds, but that has been it. Nevertheless, I am going to try my best to read a passage of Scripture and sing to him each time I visit again. 

In Appomattox, it is harder to find a quiet spot within the facility and now that it's cold, sitting outside does not work. Yesterday we made our way to the dining room, after lunch had been cleared away, and had about 10 minutes when there was no one else in the room and the TV was off. I read from Ephesians and a bit from Romans. A couple of times Mike became quiet and peered at the Bible. I tried to sing, but my voice has not fully come back after being sick, so it was more of a squawk. Anyway, I'm glad to be reminded of the importance of Bible reading and familiar hymns or worship songs and hope it will help Mike. What beautiful words to remember..."his [Mike's] spirit is alive, whole and well"! (Thank you, Steve!)

Ephesians 5:15-21 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, 

but be filled with the Spirit, 

addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,  

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.