Another great Thanksgiving is over. We celebrated as we have for the past several years, at the nursing home, with my mother, eating an assortment of Thanksgivingish foods that were “carry-in” ready. The successes included turkey from Honey Baked Ham, sweet potato casserole from Pimentos and the family favorite, Ocean Spray cranberry sauce. The canned stuff is a tradition from my father’s side of the family. On the not so good side, green bean casserole from Pimentos that appeared to be pulverized before cooking.
I have a favorite moment from this Thanksgiving, a moment that I will tuck it away in my memory. The moment involves my dad and a gentleman named Mr. Murphree, who lives in the nursing home on the same floor as my mother. Mr. Murphree is 99 years old. He used to live in the retirement complex and often ate lunch and dinner with my dad. One of his favorite things to do as he entered the dining room was to sing “You are my sunshine” to the staff. Sadly, Mr. Murphree’s memory got the best of him and early this year he was moved to the nursing home.
My dad often stops to talk to Mr. Murphree when he is visiting my mother. More often than not Mr. Murphree does not remember him. Today, after lunch, my dad sat down with Mr. Murphee to talk. Mr. Murphree kept reaching in the depths of his memory but could not quite remember my dad. After a few quiet words, I heard my dad raise his voice and sing “your are my sunshine, my only sunshine…” . Mr. Murphee’s voice joined in and they sang softly, my dad who does not sing and Mr Murphree who remembered the words…
