singing diary
I began singing in the Retirement Homes in this area (Tampa Bay/ Brandon/ Lakeland) about 14 Months ago, and I have connected with around 80 Homes. A few of them apart, all these Homes are very happy to have me come in for singing & telling; some of these Homes have really taken me to heart and want me to come in regularly (or as often as I can make it). All together it’s been VERY SPECIAL to make these connections and these friendships.
This Month, December 2008, I finish my third run of going into most of the Homes that I know, which means that in those 14 Months I’ve gone into most of the Homes three times. There’s one place that I visit once a Month; I’ve been there at least 7 or 8 times. A tremendous experience it has been; I’ve learned so much, and I feel I’ve come a long way.
Wednesday December 17th, going into Hudson Manor on Davis Island in Tampa, 2nd time here. I was here not long ago, and people liked me so much that they wanted me to come back a.s.a.p., hence today. The Activities Director has invited me to perform at 3 PM.
When I arrive there’s confusion at reception. Nobody knows I’m scheduled to sing today, and the Act. Director has gone out with a group, shopping at Walmart. All I can do is trust that they’ll be back on time, so I set up as usual and wait. Waiting before singing (and telling) can be a good thing; it helps with getting focussed and gearing up to deliver. However, waiting a long time, can have the opposite effect. You begin to think that the moment of sparking has gone, and it may be better to pack up & go.
The shopping party arrived back 40 minutes after I am supposed to start. When the Activities Director appears, I ask her, wasn’t I supposed to be starting at 3 PM. That’s the time she invited me for. No, she says, you’re in the schedule for 3.30 PM. OK, but it’s now 3.40 PM and I don’t know what time the room needs to be available for supper.
I suggest that perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea to invite me on an afternoon with an afternoon shopping trip. Not at all, she says, you can just sing in the time that is left. I have lots of artists coming here who are very happy to use whatever little time they are given.
Basically she’s brushing me off. She doesn’t want to admit that she had forgotten all about my coming to the Home (at her invitation). Instead of saying sorry for the difficulties she’s caused, she gets aggressive with me, and tells me off for being unhappy with the rushing and the lack of time to perform. I offer to come back another time, but she doesn’t want to hear of it. No, she’ll get the people together quickly and I can get started straight away.
Moments later she’s back to tell me that I must finish at 4.30 PM, because the kitchen staff need the room to set up for supper. That would give me just over half an hour, which for my kind of presentation is very short; I usually have one hour.
While he A.D. walks off to gather more residents, I approach the kitchen staff about the timing of things. They tell me that they’re happy to set the tables quietly while I perform, and so I only need to finish at 4.45 PM. Just before starting my short set, I tell the A.C. that the kitchen staff is happy to give me until 4.45 PM.
At 4.20 PM less then half an hour into my set, the A.C. walks up to me, and tells me that I HAVE to finish at 4.30 PM sharply.
And so I do. The whole thing has become a bit of a farce. The few people present are restless or not very present. They’ve already had a busy day, and the timing of my singing is wrong. In fact, last time I sang here the audience was double the size; most people have gone to their rooms to rest, for obvious reasons.
I pack up and prepare to leave, not quite sure what to do. The A.C. has disappeared; I’m tempted to just walk out the door, and forget about this place. However, I’ve been invited, and I’ve been offered pay, and I feel I should claim what’s due to me. So I fill in the required forms (which I already had on me) and head for reception to hand them in.
Two surprises follow. First: the A.C. sits behind the reception desk, filling in for the receptionist. I see her there and hesitate speaking to her. She will not listen to me, I don’t think, and she’ll be rude again. I’m not interested in being at the receiving end of her aggressive attitude. I’ve been there (in TV production); done that, and moved on. No need for a repeat of that kind of trouble.
Then the second surprise: while I hesitate, the administrator appears (out of nowhere it seems). She had apologized to me earlier for the delay etc. and had been very kind to me.
So I approach her, give her the documents, and give her a brief explanation of what happened earlier. Perhaps it would have been better to invite me for another day, I suggest. The A.C. overhears these words, and jumps in to oppose. Her attitude has not changed one little bit (as I suspected), and she’s ready to shut me up (once more). The phone rings and the A.C. has to pull away to answer. Great, at least I don’t have to argue, and it gives me a chance to suggest that something is really wrong with the way the A.C. has handled the situation. The administrator hears my brief account, and I’m out the door.
When I arrive home the A.C. has already left a message saying that I will not be welcome to return to Hudson Manor. As if I wanted too…
In almost every Home that I visit, I am received with respect and with open arms. Today was very much an exception, I’m glad to say. I do hope to see the people of Hudson Manor again. My first time singing there was outstanding; the spirit moved in a remarkable way; people were very touched. I imagine the A.C. will eventually be caught in her own aggression and either change her ways or be out of there. Eventually I should be able to go back; heaven’s kingdom is on the move; no stopping it!
December 19th, singing in Southerland PLace, Tampa. Second time here; first time went really well. I’ve discussed over the phone the need for a quiet room, so people can be focussed. Cynthia, the Activities Director has prepared an excellent space, and begins to gather the Residents as soon as I get there.
Apart from the usual songs (Little Love/ One day/ In His Way/ Beatitudes/ Love Never Fails/ Touch Eternity? Aaron’s Blessing) I do a long version of the Moses story; a risky thing to do, but the people stay with it quite well; God’s wonderful Holy Spirit is moving through the telling and singing. Altogether a great time. Several members of staff are present all the way through; afterwards they comment on how well I communicate ever with the Alzheimer Residents. It’s the Holy Spirit, and I’m so thankful for God’s presence. What a privilege! What ever bad feelings were left from my previous ‘gig’ those are all gone; I’m so happy to be a channel of God’s love.
Tuesday December 23rd I’m singing in Ybor City at the Healthcare & Rehab Center. I’ve been here several times before, but not in quite a while. Sweet people here; some of them quite far gone. Like the previous times, today is another wonderful celebration. I tell the story of Jacob dreaming about the ‘Ladder-from-Heaven’. It’s a wonderful story; I try to keep things simple, and people stay with me all the way through. The Angel Whisper song is such a blessing. A great way to finish the year, and to finish this ‘tour’ of the Tampa, Brandon, PLant City & Lakeland Retirement Homes. It has been a very positive experience. I look forward to going back into all these places. Perhaps I should also begin to go into the Homes in St. Petersburgh. Something to pray about.
Several Homes send me a Christmas Card expressing their appreciation for my work; I’m touched and count myself privileged. Next year is going to be GREAT. Perhaps I can also make a start with going into some churches, and beyond that I would like to put my name down at some Christian Agencies and begin to sing & tell all over the USA. God knows what’s in store. Happy New Year!
