Reading Robert Frost.

As I have said before, if Dad is awake and alert when I go to visit him, I really enjoy reading to him. The Bible is a big choice, of course, because he knew it so well during his lucid days, but I often read to him from a collection of various poems, or from Walden. Unfortunately, of course, the last time I visited, his books were missing and I realized I had nothing to read from. Until I also realized that I had my phone with me.

I am the very first to admit (and, in fact, have written in my book) that I am not the most tech-savvy person. I still don't use my phone in the myriad of ways that people much more apt (and younger) than I use theirs. I have a few apps, but don't use them much, although I enjoy checking email and even blogging on my phone. The other day, a friend and I were hanging pictures at my house, and we couldn't both see how they looked because one person was holding them up while the other viewed from a distance. Suddenly, she suggested taking pictures with her phone, which we could then view; a solution that seemed so simple and yet so modern!

Anyway, I have started Googling all sorts of things on my phone, so I looked to see if I could find certain Psalms that I remembered. I found a bunch of links, in both the King James version, and other, more modern translations. I read several Psalms to Dad, which he seemed to enjoy. Then, looking for something else, I remembered Robert Frost.

I've always enjoyed Frost's work - who doesn't? I realized I've only really looked at his more well-known poems. As I brought up poem after poem on poetry sites, I got a better idea of the scope - and beauty - of his work. As I sat there, reading aloud to Dad, enjoying Frost's imagery and cadence and use of words, I felt myself relaxing and really enjoying myself. Every time I looked up at Dad, he seemed to be enjoying himself, too, closing his eyes every now and then as if to better enjoy the words. It was a very lovely afternoon.

If you've never investigated Robert Frost's poems beyond the popular ones taught in school - I urge you to do so. They are both lovely and complex. And if you've never read a Frost poem to a loved one - especially someone with dementia, or who is ill or confined to bed - I urge you to do that too. It might lead to your very own lovely afternoon.