When I worked as a registered music therapist with nursing home residents, a favorite song was “Home on the Range.” Even if folks never lived on a ranch, they enjoyed the song because it’s about being in a peaceful place. One verse talks about admiring the stars at night and wondering about their glory.
Now, I’m a writer and no longer practice music therapy. But I entertain at senior facilities and other venues. People still enjoy timeless, classic western songs like “Home on the Range.”
Thanks to Girlie on the Edge for inspiring the above with her six-sentence story prompt for this week in which the given word is “range.” You can click here to participate in this week’s hop and read other bloggers’ six-sentence creations.
Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography
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New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
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Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
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My Corner 
Hi Abbie, I’d say you still practice music therapy of a sort.
Your singing at senior centers, nursing homes and the like gives those hearing you pleasure and makes them forget their problems a while.
Isn’t that what you did as an official music therapist?
I think it’s great.
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Yes, Patty, but when I was practicing as a music therapist, I did other activities with residents besides singing. But you’re right in that what I do is still therapeutic.
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Sometimes, it’s as simple as realizing while we’re not doing exactly the same work we were, we’re doing it in a different way to meet the need of ourselves as well as those we still serve.
I had to do that here.
I had to realize that while I might not be working 12-hour shifts 6 or 7 days a week, I was still helping people and doing good things.
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roy and dale were an important part of my childhood. good memory thanks
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You’re welcome. I’m glad I could bring back memories for you.
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Something so warm and comforting about that song! I’m not surprised it is a favorite.
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I know what you mean. Thank you for commenting.
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The horse’s name is T-T-T-Trigger, of course. I wanna be a cowboy…. (I believe the group that sang that song was called Timbuk3). Funny how i can’t recall what I had for breakfast, but i remember 80s hits with ease!
–Shay/Fireblossom in WP clothing
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I know what you mean. We remember things we think are important. Thank you for commenting.
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It’s a song everyone knows and seems to relate to, even if, as you say, they’ve never been near a western ranch.
What a cool thing to do, bring music to nursing care residents!
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Yes. I did this for 15 years before I started writing full-time, and I found it rewarding.
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Hi, Abbie and all.
Abbie, it’s nice that you’ve been able to continue doing this on some level via way of volunteerism.
I too, am finding my way in similar fashion.
Where once, I took and made calls, with the goal of disseminating useful information so people could help themselves now, I find myself giving the same information, only in person as Blue and I traverse our community each day.
I love that the universe appears to help us continue doing what we loved, while adding something new such as our writing careers.
Good on you for continuing this.
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I remember that song from long ago.
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I know what you mean, Frank. It’s nice to hear old songs you remember from Wayback win, isn’t it?
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So many of those old songs are comforting.
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Yes. I know.
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Yes, those shows are comforting and I’m sure bring lots of joy to the folks… wonder what will bring our kids’ comfort considering what’s on tv today!
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Well, when today’s kids grow up, maybe they’ll find comfort and joy in songs that were popular during their younger years.
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