My life who needs the mic thought of the day … I used to be shy. Honest. And I still am in many respects. My karaoke debut was at Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp in early August 2010. I remember it so clearly because I made the decision to stand up and sing rather than hide and cry that night. I was extremely distressed that Saturday night of our four-day family Stroke Camp because I had been answering frantic phone calls from my dad-in-law, Pepaw, all weekend. His dementia was accelerating at an alarming rate, and he was calling me from the assisted living facility where he had been for less than two months. He begged, begged, BEGGED me to get him out of that hell hole, and needed me to help him kill time. With every call, I reassured him that everything was all right and that Id be back on Sunday afternoon. He HAD to wait until then. Period. There was nothing I could do about it. As the evening entertainment was starting at Stroke Camp, I called my son and BEGGED him to take Pepaw out for a very long drive, which he was so kind to provide, keeping Pepaw occupied for the next two hours. As I watched survivors and caregivers go up and join in karaoke fun, I knew I had a choice. I could either slip deeper into the sadness that consumed me as I worried about Pepaws decline and his uncertain future … or I could set it aside for at least a few minutes. I chose the latter, and my fears of singing were squashed as I joined these amazing campers and volunteers. It was the cure that got me through that night and cleared my mind enough to see through the difficult days ahead, including moving Pepaw into a secure Alzheimers unit two weeks later for his and the protection of everyone else. And it was singing along with the radio through my tears on the drive home after that that helped me survive one of the most difficult days of my life … And now I sing and dance at every Stroke Camp because it feels so good and cures anything that might be ailing me at the moment. I may be out of tune or step, but it doesnt matter. Now, they cant shut me up! I dont even need a mic! Cmon, baby, sing with me! :-)
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:22:23 +0000
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