JanBeek

Bee my little Honey
And Love me all the time!

Music speaks of love to my heart!

Recently Gottfried (Banter Republic) wrote about the power of music.
He reminded me of a most unforgettable experience
I had back in the ‘60s when I was majoring in music therapy
at the College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA.

My counselor, Wilhelmina Harbert, conducted a clinic for children every weekend. I attended and assisted her. One of our attendees was a 5 year old named Jimmy. Jimmy was a puzzle. He had never spoken a word. The doctors were unable to determine the cause. He could grunt and squeal, laugh and cry audibly, so we knew vocalization was possible. But, he didn’t talk. He was cute as a button and I loved him dearly. He loved me, too. I could tell —- he gave me big hugs when he came into our workshop each weekend.

One Saturday morning I was sitting on the floor with Jimmy in my lap. we were in a circle with other students and children. Mrs. Harbert was playing a silly, rhythmic, nonsense song. The words were repetitive. “Hos-po-di-po-miel-wi” 🎵 “Hospodipomielwi” 🎶 Joyfully, over and over I sang along with the others in the circle. Jimmy clapped along.

I bounced Jimmy on my lap. I laughed.
I continued singing.
A little girl, next to us, MaryJane – who had cerebral palsy –
turned to Jimmy and sang close to his ear.

Suddenly Jimmy started to sing, too.
🎶 “Hos-po-di-po-miel-wi!!”🎶
“Hospodipomielwi” 🎵

Music unlocked whatever gate was locked to Jimmy’s words!!

I cried as we continued to sing. I hugged that little boy so tightly that he stopped singing and laughed! I’ll never forget that moment! Then he resumed singing :o)

A year later when I saw Jimmy with his mom in the grocery store, she stopped me and said, “ Oh, Jan, it’s so good to see you. I don’t know if I should thank you or not. A year ago I prayed daily for Jimmy to talk. And now I can’t get him to shut up!”

We laughed. I gave her and Jimmy a hug. “It wasn’t me,” I explained. “Thank the Lord. Thank the gift of prayer and friendship. Thank music! It performs miracles!”

Thank you, Gottfried, for encouraging me to tell my story.
Yes, music changes lives!
Thank you for recognizing its power.

Thanks, friends, for joining JanBeek today.
Come again soon.
And sing along with Susie Q and me!

Sing Along!
Feel the Power of Music
Lift Your Soul!