* “Your program is one of the best things about living here!”
* “I know you come every month but do you think you could come more often?”
* “We so look forward to the When Swing Was King shows. The music. The photographs. And all of the interesting stories you tell. It is always the high point of our week.”
* “You two do such an excellent job with these shows. It seems every one of them is better than the last. Thank you so much for all the work you put in. We really appreciate it.”
* From a staff member – “You know you guys could make a fortune if you could somehow market When Swing Was King and get it out across the country. It’s really a fabulous show and our residents absolutely love it. I know everyone else would too.”
* And finally, the sweetest blessing of all -- As Vaughn Monroe began to sing “When the Lights Go On Again All Over the World” (a number one song from 1943), our new friend, T…., a U.S. Navy veteran who survived kamikaze attacks on his troop transport in the Pacific in the final year of WWII, stretched across to embrace his wife while they listened to this lovely, poignant song.
I looked over and saw Claire had noticed the same scene. She turned to me with tears in her eyes but a big smile on her face and I knew we were thinking the same thing; namely, “Lord, thank You for letting us bring such tender moments to these dear people -- moments that not only bring a respite to seniors dealing with loneliness, boredom, and the anxiety of aging bodies, but which also create a effective bridge to memory, beauty, love, patriotism, fun, and friendship. It is so cool to be a part of this.”
