Song of Lillian

Lillian lived in a nursing home in Moncks Corner, SC. It is a smaller nursing home and when full can accommodate no more than 10 people. I went to see her recently to arrange for her shoes but was told that her daughter had moved her to another nursing home in a different part of the state.

I began seeing Lillian four years ago. She would have conversations with me and was able to pick the exact shoe she liked while she told me about her children and where each one lived. At 75 Lillian was no bigger than a minute and always sat in the same chair in the television room of the home. Each time I would attempt to measure her or rub her feet or touch them in any way, Lillian would giggle in a high pitched voice like a 5 year old child. You see, Lillian was extremely ticklish.

Lillian also loved to sing. She sang Negro spirituals all the time. Although I loved it when she would burst into a song, those around her would get frustrated because heaven forbid they missed something Bob Barker or Jerry Springer might have to say. No matter, she would just sing louder.

Each year I could see Lillian’s mind deteriorate as her dementia got worse and advanced into Alzheimer’s. The last time I saw Lillian she did not know anyone around her and sat silently gazing into a world only she could see. She was no longer ticklish and I missed her girlish giggling. But, before I left, she burst into song and sang an old spiritual without faltering one bit, hitting every high note and not missing a single word. I’ve seen this with quite a few of my patients. They forget simple everyday things and yet they can continue to say their prayers and quote scripture.

This proves something I’ve known for a long time. The things of God come straight from the heart and not from the brain. I’m sure wherever Lillian is living now, she is still singing, and I am blessed that I was able to hear her and learn from her.