Session notes:

A woman who has been in my groups for 16 months was singing words to "I Need Thee Every Hour."  A FIRST!  I played the hymn at the next session, but she didn't sing it.  She did sing parts of a couple other hymns.  She loves to move her arms and "conduct" me while I play, especially on the fiddle tunes!

I announced "Just A Close Walk With Thee" and then was distracted by some conversation within the group.  After a few minutes, someone said, "What about Just A Cheaper Walk With Thee?"  We had a good laugh before I played the song.  Later I kidded her about it.  She said, "Did I say that?"  I assured her she had, and we laughed again before we hugged good-bye.

This woman is my cheerleader in sessions.  She usually says, "We're lucky to have you playing for us."  I respond by saying that I'm honored to play and share music and memories with them.  She also says it's great that they can get together for music like this.

A woman who usually sleeps while I play, woke twice during the last session.  She began watching me the second time and smiled when I smiled at her.  I've been doing sessions there for about five months, and this is the first response I've seen from her.

I don't provide word sheets, because I want the music to prompt memories of the words and things associated with the songs.  After a session, a woman said, "We don't need the words.  The words are in the music." 

At the same session, I mentioned that I had burned out teaching.  A woman told me later, "It's okay, you have the music in you."