Jimbo's Jots

Keeping with the theme and topic of last week. I continue with the focus on memories.

Going back into the memory vault, I’m somewhat amazed at what I can remember and what I can’t. I was told by a friend one time that I have an uncanny knack for remembering things. We kind of laughed it off. What he was really saying was, “You remember the weird stuff!” I knew it! He knew it!

I have a long association with music. Music helps create memories. Here are a couple of examples:

• I think I was maybe about 5 years old when I was put up in front of a group of people and led a song in church. The song was Jesus Loves Me.
• Certain songs take me back to Illinois Christian Camp and the people there: Pass It On, Jesus Is Well and Alive, Psalm 19.
• During my time in college, I was in the acappella chorus that would tour all over the Midwest or wherever the tour would take us. My last two years, I had a friend – both of us carried a pitch pipe. We would play a game, “Guess the Pitch”. We both got to be pretty good at guessing. My trick was I knew my range and could figure the note out based on how low I would be before I got out of my range.
• Depending on the song book, I can remember what page a song can be found or be reasonably close. Several years ago, I would lead songs to fill time at a Bible Bowl. People would give me songs to sing and I could almost start the song as pages were being turned.
• The last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed that, especially with older church songs and songs that I have not sung in years, I can remember the key of the song and the starting note.

I’m weird! It’s quirky! And I laugh at what I can remember!

Those who work with people who struggle with memory retention late in life because of either a medical issue such as a stroke or who have an issue with dementia have monitored how some of these patients with remember old hymns. They will use old hymn singing times as a part of the treatment plan. Here is an article I found this article from a chaplain who works with memory issue patients (https://hymnsocietygbi.org.uk/2017/03/short-guide-no-27-hymns-and-ministry-to-those-with-dementia/#:~:text=Those%20who%20care%20for%20people%20with%20dementia%20may,longs%20to%20make%20us%20whole’%20%28Edith%20Sinclair%20Downing%29.) He draws from the connections that they have with old church.

There may come a day when my memories will begin to fail me. I don’t know! But I will relish the memories that will continue to be played in my head.

Be blessed! Be a blessing to others!!