matiac Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I'm going to bring my mandolin to the nursing home today, to play for my Father, who has Alzheimer's Disease, and is close to going to his Maker. Doctor said last night he has a day, maybe two left before he's gone. He had a mandolin when I was very young, an old "round-back" A-type, and it's my hope that maybe it'll spark something in him, and I've never been more nervous. I've played before hundreds of people before, and this "gig" has me so damn nervous, but I'm gonna do it, because he loves music, especially that Bluegrass type stuff, and it's the least I can do. I love you Dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I hope you have a great day with your dad. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourselves. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I think your visit with the mandolin to your dad will do you both much good... I'm sure he will enjoy it even if he doesn't express it in his current condition. God bless you and your dad.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I'm going to bring my mandolin to the nursing home today' date=' to play for my Father, who has Alzheimer's Disease, and is close to going to his Maker. Doctor said last night he has a day, maybe two left before he's gone. He had a mandolin when I was very young, an old "round-back" A-type, and it's my hope that maybe it'll spark something in him, and I've never been more nervous. I've played before hundreds of people before, and this "gig" has me so damn nervous, but I'm gonna do it, because he loves music, especially that Bluegrass type stuff, and it's the least I can do. I love you Dad.[/quote'] You are a good son G&F. Those good folks in the twilight of their years enjoy any form of entertainment that breaks the monotiny. What's on the set list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbtop Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 How very nice . Probably the most important gig of your life. I'm not a super religious guy, but God will be taking notice of you both. Best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 A very nice thing to do. My father-in-law had Alzheimer's and it is a nasty disease. But you know that. My father-in-law did respond to music, so it will be a great gift for yours. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Outstanding. I'll bet every nickle I own you'll deliver the performance of a life time to his ears. Break a leg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruznolfart Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I both envy and admire your plans for the day, compadre. It'll give you something to hold on to when Dad's gone on, something that you know gave comfort to him...and you. Been there, done that. I sang both my Parents out with songs they'd taught me when I was just a tad. Hope you'll give your Da a kiss from all of us who miss ours. He raised a good Son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 It'll be the best performance of your life. Just relax, play your heart out as an offering to your father. God Bless you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Regardless of how long he has left, I'm sure it will be a great memory for years to come. You da man GF. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I'm so sorry you, (and we all), have to go through this kind of thing. I'd give anything to be able to play music with my dad again, (11 years gone). Enjoy yourself, and remember this is the way things are supposed to work... kids bury their parents, any parent who has lost a child will tell you they'd go in an instant rather than the other way around. God bless you and your father. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 You are a good son G&F. Those good folks in the twilight of their years enjoy any form of entertainment that breaks the monotiny. What's on the set list? Thanks guys, it's just something I "have" to do, and for my Dad, it's the least I can do. Hell, if not for him, I wouldn't be here number one, and his love of music inspired me among other things, I used to sit and watch him play that old roundback for hours, and when he was downstairs in the cellar working on something (he never stopped, always had something to do), and I'd sit on the stairs and sing "Rambling Rose" (I dug Nat King Cole as a kid) pretty much front to back. He was/is a fair, yet firm Father, I can only hope I'm half the man he is, and will always be. My respect for my Father transcends mere words, as a child, I worshiped the guy, he's done more for me through my life than I can ever say in a forum thread, and I'm always going to be grateful for that. And as long as he's remembered, he'll never die. As for a set list? There is none, in my usual style, it's going to be off the cuff. I'm not going to "think" it, I'm going to "Feel" it. And again, Thanks, it means more to me than you'll ever know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeVeeWee Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Guitarandfeather, you've chosen the right way to connect with your father...and that's through music! I admire you man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I think we're all with you. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shnate McDuanus Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Bless you, G&F. You're a great son, and I admire your respect for and dedication to your father. This will be a great gift for your Dad, and I think he'll enjoy it very much. Much love to you, man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Allen Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 My thoughts are with you, Guitarandfeather. I hope it becomes a wonderful memory for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrosion of conformity Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 That's truly a wonderful thing to do. You're a great son, and I hope you have a great time with your dad. God bless you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 i'm speechless at how beautifully you put that. facing such heaviness with bravery using the tools you have is a gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAS44 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Poetic. Amazing, I applaud you. I wish you and your father well. you are just as much of a man as he is and was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 Well, I did it. Played my own little version of "Wildwood Flower" (it was one of his songs he used to play), and I'll swear and be damned he smiled, and that absolutely warmed my heart to see that. My Mom was there too, and my Niece and her son, they didn't see it, but I did, I never took my eyes off him while I played, and I asked "how was that?", and it seemed to me like he was trying to talk, but couldn't. After a while of just basically noodling, my Mom says, "I didn't know you played mandolin?", and I said I didn't either up to about 2 years ago. But a good time was had by all, including I'm pretty sure my Dad, and that was my aim, and I was nervous for nothing, it was a pleasure. It was one of those times where it just "flowed out of me", and you all were right, I will remember it. I even had another resident, an old Italian woman standing in the doorway listening, and I don't understand Italian, but I think she approved too. It was a pretty kool experience, was there almost 3 hours, playing the whole time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Very cool. Glad it went well, G&F. You will certainly remember that gig forever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Well done, sir. Nicely done indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 That's awesome! Great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I thank you for sharing this moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Great job GF. Thanks for the inspiring post. I've just been working on trying to find a place for my dad, at least for a while. He turned 82 today, but is in a rehab hospital after a car accident last month. His current hospital plans to discharge him next week. He has a traumatic brain injury and I don't know if he will ever really recover. It's not alzheimers, but the injury causes him to have trouble with reality and he's been almost bed ridden since September 4. He was never realy a big music fan though, so I probably won't try something similar to what you did. Good post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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