♪There Is Sonshine in My Soul Today ♫

     
     One of my favorite hymns is There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today. I loved it the first time I heard it. It was common for me to hum or sing it as I went about my routines. After my mother had advanced dementia/Alzheimer's I sang it to her on the phone one day.  She immediately began to tear up. It touched her heart to the quick. When she was composed, she said, "I want that sung at my funeral." 
     My reply was, "That's still a long way off but I will make a note of it."
     Though her mind was barely functioning, it melody and lyrics spoke to her. It brought peace to her soul and calm to her body. Though she lived over 600 miles from me, every phone call after that I sang it to her. If anyone else was near she would insist I sing it for them. My singing voice isn't near what it used to be, but I did my best to croak it out for her. . . because it calmed her and brought peace and joy to her being.
      Well, she did cross that thin veil from mortality to immortality last July. I was with her at the time and it was an exquisite experience. The nursing home employee who with the two of us touched my shoulder and said that was it was beautiful. Then she said, "You gave her permission to go."
       I spoke to her all that afternoon as if I were her mother rather than her daughter; because that is where she was in her mind. The only name she responded to was her childhood nickname--the one her parents and siblings used exclusively. In that respect, I suppose I did give her permission to join them. It was a moment I shall always cherish.
      Whenever I think of or hear that melody and words, I recall how much she loved it. It became our solitary signal to each other. Though the words are simple their meaning is profound. Often after genuinely challenging days or in those little God wink moments I think of it. In part this hymn is how I stumbled upon the name for this blog.  
      Below is the link for the audio of it because it is my desire that it may offer solace and serenity to anyone who listens to it. If you do take the time to do that, please comment your opinion at the bottom of this post and remember that the Sonshine is always there, even above the clouds. 
      
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA3C149M6Jc