Arnold Remembers
Arnold shuffles all day long and is unable to communicate because of Alzheimer’s. I asked him if he would be willing to come outside with me because we were starting to see the first signs of spring. He slowly enters into the sunshine, stopping at the door, as his body gets used to the brightness. As I pointed to the leaves sprouting on the bushes, his entire attention went to my guitar which was perched on the outdoor furniture. I followed him and watched him bend down and lightly pluck the strings. I helped him sit down and laid the guitar in his lap. He lightly placed his fingers in chord positions and loved on it, holding tightly to it. It was evident that he had played it before…who knows how long ago. That moment for him was the best medicine.