The Sound of Love

Mom couldn’t get around much after her hip operation, so I was staying with her day and night until she could manage on her own. She loved the movie The Sound of Music, so every night after supper she had me pop it into her VCR. For the next three hours I sat watching with her.

Mom never lasted the whole movie, always falling asleep before it ended. After several nights of this, I could practically recite all the parts. She was also very grumpy—always telling me to do this or that and never pleased when I did.

One afternoon, I was exhausted. “Mom, come take a nap with me.” She fell asleep on the bed beside me. That evening it was The Sound of Music again. This time, however, Mom joined in the singing, and so did I! I even turned off the sound a few times to make the actors lip-synch what we were saying.

Mom and I laughed and had so much fun, and the next day, she seemed more at ease. That evening, I started the movie again, and to my surprise she said, “Find another one. I’ve already seen how that one ends.” I guess she just wanted quality time together—and a nap!