Music back in my life

David J

Back in college where we met, my wife and I would fall asleep to music on the radio. After we were married, my wife’s tolerance for my music wained, to the point where she would turn off whatever I had on. I can’t completely blame her, as my taste in music and hers had a small intersection. We enjoyed music in that overlap area, but I played my type of music in the car. Probably similar to others here. 

Today I bought over 100 cds at an auction for about $0.33 each. Some of these cds I wouldn't have purchased new, but I am enjoying listening to blues, 70’s hits, classical, and other music that really strikes a chord (pun intended). I never realized how much I missed music. Its not her fault, we just moved away from it. I am getting back into it now, as I find my new life without her at home. I wish she could enjoy this music with me, but she is beyond that. 

Gig Harbor

Good for you David! Enjoy your music. You deserve to relax and take care of yourself.

jmlarue

I love music, too, from a wide range of genres. I've even embraced some of the contemporary music my children like. I was watching a Teepa Snow video on dementia care. She says that music memories are the last to go for most of our LOs. It amazes me that my husband is growing less and less able to speak a full and understandable sentence, but remembers the lyrics and can still sing along with the music of our youth (60's & 70's rock). Enjoy your treasure trove of CDs. No doubt they'll bring you hours of pleasure.

ImMaggieMae

My husband speaks in short sentences now too, but remembers lyrics, or at least some of them, to lots of old, and even a few newer but popular songs. We listen and sing along with Alexa in bed every night before we fall asleep. A few days ago, on kind of a bad day I played only one song, the first on our Night Songs playlist, “May Each Day” from the old Andy Williams show. He sang it at the end of his shows.

“May each day in the week be a good day
May the Lord always watch over you
And may all of your hopes turn to wishes
And may all of your wishes come true

May each day in the month be a good day
May you make friends with each one you meet
And may all of your daydreams be mem'ries
And may all of your mem'ries be sweet

The weeks turn to months and the months into years
There'll be sadness and joy, there'll be laughter and tears
But one thing I pray to heaven above
May each of your days be a day full of love

May each day in the year be a good day
May each dawn find you happy and gay
And may all of your days be as lovely
As the one you shared with me today

May each day of your life be a good day
And good night.”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KsJ_bzYyrHw

DH sang along with only a few parts and I told Alexa to stop when it ended, rather than continue the playlist, thinking he wasn’t in the mood for music. A few minutes latter he said quietly, “More songs..” We sang along for least another hour. The day ended on a good note.

Jeff86

That’s great, David.   Glad you’ve rediscovered something that gives you joy.  We all need some joy to help us through our caregiving responsibilities n.

Ed1937

David, you found a win! There's not much better than music. Enjoy.

toolbeltexpert

Jmlarue I can speak to music being the last thing to go. I used to sing with pwd at mcf and every now and then I would hear one of the aides notice someone who happen spoken, but they saw them sing. I really enjoyed this especially when family  would show up and join the singing.

DrinaJGB

I can totally relate to your post. When I am having a black dog day I do one of two things--go outside to play frisbee with my GSD, or turn on music.

  Just this month I purchased a turntable because I wanted to play some of our albums from our lifetime of collecting music. It has been so enjoyable---and my DH loves hearing the Neil Young, Joni, Supertramp, Steely Dan, Bowie,Traffic,Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis albums that he played nearly daily on his former B&O turntable.So much extraordianry music by real old masters of the music world. It transports you into a realm of joy and amazement.

  Music has saved us many times in these years. Do what you have to do to stay alive and sane.

M1

David I'm very aware that this is something I need, too--and glad it's worked for you.  There's something wrong with our CD player though, the connections to the speakers are screwed up, and I'm enough of a Luddite not to be able to sort it out (not to mention it's all tucked away in a deep cabinet, and hard to access).  On my list though, I think it would help.  The house is too, too quiet.

Sligo177

Thank you for sharing that, David!  I'm so glad you are giving yourself time for your favorite music.  Your note is a good reminder that there's joy to be experienced.  We find it here and there....for instance, I walked down to the coffee shop early this morning and did that for me and me alone.  DH sleeps far later than I.  Felt so good!  Have a wonderful weekend.