For several years (2008-2013) I spent about half of each year caring for my 90+ year old mother who had Alzheimer’s. I learned that in the dissolving human mind there is a special place that stores old songs with a little bit of magic.

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When we played music that she remembered her otherwise awkward shuffle turned into a smooth gait down the hallway with her walker, or a graceful fox trot around the living room. Every evening we put on music and sing and make crafts together.

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One of Mum’s favourite songs was Hoary Carmichael’s Two Sleepy People which is about two people so in love that they can’t bear to call it a night. It starts out with them being out of cigarettes, and my mum always like that part because I think she still missed her cigs. You can hear my favourite version with Dean Martin.

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I’ve written more about my experience of making art and singing with my mum here.

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This work was exhibited in a show called Lyrical Visions at the Wedeman Gallery, Yamawaki Arts & Cultural Center at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts in March 2011.