An Invitation

I can’t get the beauty out of my mind. It has been over a month since some 7th and 8th graders went to local extended care facilities to sing Christmas carols for the people who live there. The group I was with spent some time on a memory care unit. The voices of our kids were quite nice, but nothing to match the little woman who joined us part way through our singing.

As we entered one dining room, it was so neat to see some of the older people mouthing the words as we sang. Most were slumped or slouched in their chairs. But, bright smiles lit up when they heard familiar hymns.

Later, we ventured down a hallway. After rounding a corner, the whole group stopped to sing for one resident and two family members. Minutes later, a slow moving woman came around the corner in a walker. For some reason the singing didn’t give her brain enough warning. She was visibly startled by the confirmation crew - and she turned to leave.

Someone thought quickly and went over to invite her to join the song. Startled eyes changed to sparkling eyes. Moments later she was singing Silent Night – about three words behind the rest of us. What beautiful strength must have been poured out in hymns, songs, and African American spirituals during the younger years of this woman’s life! Her voice now is cracked. Her words are a step or two behind. Yet, the beauty of her song is unmistakable.

Our invitation - meant to benefit her - turned into gorgeous blessing for us.