“Every song has a story and, every story…a song.”
Bea's Song
About Bea
“Those people are stealing my things. I don’t recall why I have this gold ring. It feels like I’m always in pain. Someone left me here out in the rain.”
Performed by Emily Dwyer.
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Bea’s Song
There is, of course absolutely no way one can know what is or is not in someone’s mind. It is the greatest human mystery. In our relationships with others, all we have to go on is their words, actions, moods, facial expressions, consistency, or lack thereof and not much more. This is especially true with someone who is living with Dementia.
Linda’s mom, Bea entered into that mental nightmare just prior to Leonard’s death in early 2016. Fortunately, we were able to keep Bea in her home with professional caregivers 24/7 so that allowed for safety and comfort for Bea but the signs were all there and they increased quickly with each passing month.
Linda and I were with Bea for nights at a time and weekends, taking her to medical appointments or day trips or just a walk to get the mail just to keep her active, mentally challenged, and calm. But dementia doesn’t take any of that into account when its journey is set and true.
During the last year of Bea’s long, beautiful life, her imagination began to run wild. She was certain the caregivers were stealing things (which they were not). She was convinced that the thirty-year old portrait of her and Leonard hanging on the wall was actually two new people that lived with her so she talked to them and left them food. Eventually, she didn’t recognize Linda or me but knew we were family and loved her.
Bea’s Song is an attempt to get into the mind of Bea as dementia ran its course. Most of the lyrics were taken from direct statements she made to me and some came from my imagination of what she’s experiencing. I tried to express the “carnival” like confusion she lived with especially in her final days.
It is a poor but honest attempt to get into the mind of someone who is losing theirs. But it is an attempt made with the utmost respect, honor, and love of a great woman who loved life, her family, and her tea.
Epilogue: I wrote this song with Emily Dwyer in mind to sing it. Emily was able to get into the experience and tell Bea’s story magnificently and I am so grateful to her to be willing to be Bea’s voice.
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Sweet Bea! Beautiful song, David.