Members of Family of God Lutheran Church sing Christmas Carols.

by Rose M. Fife, Music Director / Communications

It was one of those moments when the decision was made for me.

The announcements that Sunday morning mentioned, “Come to Open Arms. Help us greet people, shake their hands.” And I knew, despite that day’s To Do list, I’d be going. Plopping down my music, I sat at their piano, as surprised as they were that there was going to be live music today.

I tried to quietly play along with the music in the service (incidentally the service I had just played. It’s harder than you think to play music along with yourself from an hour ago.) So Becky jumped in to mute the service every time music was played.

I thought we had figured out the plan and the residents were tolerating it until one woman burst into tears and ran to hug the Activities Director. I lowered my hands from the keyboard and thought, “Well, that didn’t go to plan. Not a problem. No more live music.”

When I later apologized to Shelley, wonderful Activities Director, for upsetting the residents, she said the reaction was the opposite. The woman was so grateful to hear live music and see more people that she couldn’t contain her emotions. I was speechless, touched, changed. Again and again I am reminded of one of God’s gifts to us all: Music. To celebrate, to grieve, to connect, to emote… it is there for all of us.

On Sunday, December 8, 10:30, we have another opportunity to share more music, more love, and more Christmas spirit with the residents at Open Arms Senior Living. Join us for caroling! I’ll bring the songbooks. You bring the Santa hats.