By Charles Robert Lindholm
I PLAYED THE PIANO SOFTLY
TO AN OLD TIME GOSPEL HYMN
IT SEEMED TO BRING DAD’S MEMORY BACK
IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME WITH HIM
HE USED TO SING IN CHOIR
AND WITH A BARBER SHOP QUARTET
AND THOUGH HE DIDN’T REMEMBER ME
THOSE WORDS HE COULDN’T FORGET
HE KNEW EVERY VERSE AND CHORUS
AND HE STILL COULD SING ON KEY
AND THAT MOMENT WAS A MEMORY
THE LAST HE GAVE TO ME
HE SANG “THE OLD RUGGED CROSS”
JUST AN OLD TIME GOSPEL HYMN
AND I, STILL PLAY IT SOFTLY
WHEN I NEED TO THINK OF HIM
WE SANG THE WORDS AND THE MUSIC
AND AS THE TEARS FELL FROM MY EYES
IT WAS A MUSICAL ENDING
IT WAS OUR FINAL REPRISE
Copyright © 2017 Charles Robert Lindholm – All Rights Reserved
2-26-2017 11:50 p.m.
Inspired by an inspirational nudge from Miriam on TheShowerofBlessings
blog on WordPress.com in commenting on her post “The Tunnel of Music”
and the power of music and song.
“My personal experience with this was the last time I saw my Dad, about
six months before his passing. He had advanced Alzheimer’s. I was playing
through some old hymns and even though he couldn’t remember anything
he starting singing the words to those hymns just perfectly. The last one he
sang to my playing and my last memory of Dad was him singing
“The Old Rugged Cross”. How fitting, and what a wonderful memory for me!!!”
I used to lay in bed on Friday nights as a kid and listen to Dad playing the
piano in the front room. He played by ear and had a wonderful smooth
jazz type style of playing that was so soothing. I can still close my eyes
and hear him playing and singing sweetly! That memory always makes
me “Misty”.
Thanks again Miriam of theshowerofblessings for the Nudge!
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross… This was my Mother’s favorite hymn. She also loved In The Garden. What a lovely poem about your Dad Chuck! I’m sure he is looking down and smiling at you while singing his favorite hymns. God bless you my friend 😊❤
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Here you go, Chuck. https://amanpan.com/2017/11/30/a-final-song/
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This is absolutely beautiful! How sad that Dad has passed, yet you have a way to bring him to you when you need him. That, my friend, is a true blessing ❤️
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Dorinda, You are the Sweetest! Thank You for Your lovely and caring comment! It really means a lot to me! Yes, Dad and I have a touchstone in that song! Sometimes letting go is hard but for the best even though it is with sorrow! Thank You so much for the Heart!!
I know You are planning on backing off Your WP activity but would love to keep up the banter and fun, if You are able and still want to?? chucklindholm@hotmail.com
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I am only backing off slightly. I find that at times, my writing is a comfort, at other times, a burden. So I pick my times, so to speak. I have your email, and will try to email if I can. I am away from the computer these days, more than I am near it. 🙂
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Great! I so love our banter back and forth! Look forward to hearing from you.
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Ah! Sounds wonderful!
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Thanks so much!
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Ohh such a loving memory of your Dad..
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Thank You so much! Yes, every time I need to think of him I can play that song!
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Thank you again for the credit! You’re doing well at Poet’s Corner! I used to post my poems there, but I ran out of space in media library of that account. I usually like to accompany my poem with my own photos. I may purchase more space for media library and may post on that account again.
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You are more than deserving, My Dear! Thanks! Yes, not bad for someone with no social media presence. So what media limit?? I’m still a Newbie. So, great to see You!
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I have 3G for a free plan. When I want to post on Poet’s corner, I use the media library for their blog, but it also associate with my space. I couldn’t upload any images to their media library because using my account to upload to their library, my account doesn’t have enough space. Actually I wrote to WP, they didn’t know what I was talking about!
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Weird!! If You find out from them please pass that along.
Hope You have a blessed day, Dear!!
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Same to you! I’ll write something about my Dad this afternoon!
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I will look forward to that!
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Thank you! Here it is! https://theshowerofblessings.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/a-tribute-to-my-dad/
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Love your posts! I get alerts in my email about your work!!! I’m going to have to face that soon too.
Have a blessed Sunday!
xoxo
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Thank you so much. Have a wonderful week!
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