Oh, oh, what a lot of inspiration, support, great stories and great song lists...how I wish I could play them all!! I went last night and what an experience it was...this is the first time I've ever done anything like this and didn't know what to expect. I had an audience of about 15 people, half in wheelchairs or beds...was playing in the Home's dining room. I was prepared for old, and infirm...I was not prepared to have not a single person in the audience that could request a song, sing along, answer a question...it was a real stretch.

I have no idea, really, if they liked what I sang, or could even comprehend it. But everyone dutifully clapped after every number, even those that looked like they'd been sleeping through the whole thing. At first I said no need for clapping, this was just front porch singing, not a performance. But I soon realized what I mistake that was, as clapping was their only way of joining in. So clapping was reinstituted..

There were several stroke victims in the crowd, one woman especially could not control her vocal chords and in an attempt to communicate made continuous loud sort of wailing noises. I admit, this audience rattled me a bit...I'm not the most self-possessed person in the world anyway, and am not long on self-confidence..

Still, I could tell that some, at least, were enjoying it, if only for a break in their routine. (And I know the staff appreciated it!) So I just played from the heart, didn't worry too much about content, just sang what I loved, and told them all to be sure and let the staff know if I sang too many sad songs for them!.

God knows, I flubbed often, particularly when one woman repeatedly shuffled toward me and thrust her robe ends into my face. But I just smiled, patted her hand, lost my place, found it again.... they didn't seem to mind. My best moment was when I realized that buried in the seemingly random wailings of the stroke victim I discerned bits of the song I was singing... Shanty in Old Shanty Town. It was so great to know I had connected with her..

I can usually sing for a couple of hours with no trouble, but I tell you I was drained after about an hour and a half and had to stop. I talked a bit with them...most not able to articulate anything, at least not that I could understand. I'm hoping over time I will become more familiar w/these folks and will be better able to communicate. I'll be going back to play again on Thanksgiving.

The next time I go I will have a cheatsheet with me of easy songs. I tend to only play songs that interest me, either melodically or because of the story, and I put quite a lot of emotion into my singing...so I need to be able to take musical breaks!.

Oddly enough, although I found the experience very exhausting I did not find it depressing. These valiant people are clinging to their selves, their life, under the hardest kind of circumstances. They all seem like heros and heroines to me. I hope I can do right by them..

Thank you again for all your comments...just so helpful, and so uplifting, and Jerry, your song is wonderful.

Nancy