A Gift

My dad had a stroke June 6. I was over there (1 mile from my house) and we were talking, when suddenly nothing but nonsense syllables came out of his mouth. At first I thought he was teasing me. He didn't seem to think anything strange was up, but kept speaking with normal inflections. We got him to try to write something, and he could only write numbers. He was jolly as ever, but Mom and I were terrified.

He'll be okay. A hospital stay, many tests, a pending surgery to unblock a carotid artery, and for now he's having physical and speech therapy sessions twice a week. In between times, Mom and I have to work him hard to reform neural pathways from ear to brain, from brain to mouth. He improves daily, though they say it can take a whole year to come back to normal. His ability comes and goes, too.

Here's why I'm writing this: singing can help. Rhythm can help. Sometimes when he can't get the words out, if he sings them, they are there. When we try to get him to say a two-syllable word, if he taps the table rhythmically (this only works when using his left hand), he can say it. Tap, tap: bath--robe. Tap, tap: toe--nail. Do you remember Mel Tillis, the singer who stuttered? He only stuttered when he spoke. If he sang, he was fluent. He even told a story about surprising a burglar in his home. He tried to call for help, but his speech impediment wouldn't allow him to get out the words. So he sang for help!

What an amazing gift music is. What an amazing God built it into us. An eternal gift.

I typed out a few Scripture verses for Dad to practice reading aloud, which I hoped would also encourage his heart.

"Who gave man his mouth? It is I,the Lord. Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (from Exodus 4:11 and 12)

“The mind will know and understand, …and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.” (Isaiah 32:4)

“And the God of all grace… will restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” (1Peter 5:10)

Amen. Make it so, Lord!