Day 27 of Jim's Recovery

Tonight Dad and I had the most amazing, awesome experience. It seemed like it was right out of the pages of a fairy tale or like an episode of , oh what's the name of that darn show where they tear down one crappy house to build a better one for people who truly deserve it?

Anyway, I went to visit Dad tonight around 7:00Pm. Mom told me that Dad would be watching a folk music show. I assumed it was going to be on the t.v. When I arrived the room was empty. I had brought Dad some of my famous spaghetti dinner and had forgotten about the folk music show. I assumed Dad was in the restroom so I sat down to wait. The nurse popped her head in to let me know that Dad was in the cafeteria watching the show. Again I thought perhaps it was on t.v. and they had a bigger t.v. in the cafeteria.

As I walked in there were two ladies at the front playing music, one had a guitar the other a violin. I saw Dad and he gave me a great big wave hello. I was so happy to see Dad up and excited to see some live music. There were only two other people in the room so I just walked in a grabbed a seat to sit and listen with Dad. When I got all comfy I looked up and my jaw dropped to the floor. There playing the fiddle was Kate MacLeod, one of my favorite folk artists ever! With her playing the guitar was Anke Summerhill, who I didn't recognize until she sang her last song "From Way up Here." I couldn't believe that these two famous ladies had come to play at Federal Heights. I was so excited and thrilled for Dad because I knew he knew who they were and was thrilled that he basically got to have his own personal concert by some of his favorite local artists! I couldn't believe that no one was listening. I supposed that after seven everyone had more important things to do like go to bed or go have a smoke! It was just ridiculous that no one was there. If people had realized what gems they had playing at the facility the place would have been packed.

I just had perma-grin on my face. I couldn't believe I was sitting there listening to Kate MacLeod and Anke Summerhill! They were absolutely beautiful and the music was hauntingly beautiful. I wanted to cry that these ladies had taken their time out of their extremely busy schedules to come and do some community service. I mean not that I didn't already admire their talents but now I absolutely admire them as individuals because of the time they took to play for us.

I know that this was just as amazing for Dad. Dad has an extremely difficult time because he can not remember the words to his songs. He recognizes his songs, he remembers writing them, he knows he can play guitar, but when asked to sing he can't remember the words to the songs. Dad is extremely depressed about this. If you have ever heard Dad play you know how much heart and soul he puts into just jamming on his guitar. Dad would go downstairs and just pluck away to relax. I can remember sitting in the basement of our house in West Valley and listening to my Dad write and fix and improve his song "Swing Me." This is my favorite memory of Dad. I would sit on a red stool and he would play for me, or I would just sit and listen. I would ask him to play "Ballad of the Yarmouth Castle" and "What a Day for a Day Dream." I would sing with Dad and love every minute of it.

This is why I would play his songs for him when he was in his "sleepy coma" hoping that the music would spark some of those old memories. Now watching Anke and Kate play and watching Dad listen was awesome in so many ways. Dad was able to remember the words to several songs they played, which is just amazing because he has a hard time with this. And also awesome because I knew how much he adores their music. Dad started to cry when they sang "Morning has Broken." We sang this at the Bountiful Community Church a few months back. It was our first song we played after Russel Baker, the previous minister that brought us together to sing music, left. I got choked up myself.

Now the really cool thing is Anke Summerhill has a song on a CD called Slickrock and Sagebrush. This was done by SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, shame on you if you don't know who they are or the acronym.) They made the CD to help raise funds for SUWA back in 2000. Well, the really neat thing is that one of Dad's songs was chosen to be on this CD also. So I believe Anke's song comes on just before Dad's! Crazy small world, eh? Dad was tickled pink that I was able to relay that info to Anke and she was going to go look up the CD to listen to Dad's song. Dad also tried to relay that he was starting an open mic night at the Bountiful Community Church and asked if Anke and Kate would come and play. Both said that they would love to and told him to e-mail them. How awesome for Dad. He was a little frustrated because he said he had to get better and learn how to use the equipment for the sound system first.

Wow, what an amazing evening. I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with Dad tonight, just me and him! Dad and I used to go over to the Gallivan Center and wait on the grass for hours to save a spot to listen to the free concerts. This was like Dad and I hanging out again listening to an awesome concert. Another favorite memory to add to my list. This one might top them all though!