Blogs from Jupiter

One of the nicest things to do while taking care of Papa is listening to good music. We let Dad listen to good music. More than the relaxation that music brings, music makes him ignore, and sometimes forget the pain. Been wanting to arrange our CDs for the longest time, and it took my sick dad for me to fix the CD racks.

Dad loves classical music. In fact, he had training in voice culture and was an amateur tenor himself. His favorite singer of all time is the great Mario Lanza. Particular songs that Dad requests to be played over and over are Lanza’s Our Father, I Walk with God and Ave Maria.

Aside from Lanza, we also let him listen to Josh Groban (especially his version of Broken Vow and You Raise Me Up) and just recently Russell Watson. Standard and soul are also favorites, and so we have Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams and Matt Monro.

And don’t forget Enya’s lyric-less hums. I have a vast collection of New Age albums, especially for Yoga and meditation, which I let Dad listen to. New Age music really never fails to ease Dad’s pain, warping my dad into a different dimension. There was one time he asked me if he was in heaven already. The CD in the player was Angels, a collection of angel inspired music by various New Age artists.

I also noticed that children’s music, the one with the nursery rhymes, helps my dad as well, and praise and Gospel music too, except for the rock types.

But the best regimen for Dad has always been my youngest brother’s singing. He always requests my brother to sing in our karaoke. And my brother would happily indulge my Dad’s song requests. Well, all of us sing. Problem is that my brother would often sweep our scores with his near perfect and perfect scores.

My 13-year old brother is trained in pop music. He had recital concerts and one mall show. This coming summer, we plan to enroll him again so he could enhance his talent some more. I know Dad would be happiest if my brother wins in a song contest by the time he’s mature enough to compete. He might be the next Philippine Pop Idol Superstar in a Million! =)

Even in his sickbed, Dad would continuously coach my brother, giving comments if he is out of tune, too much falsetto or whatever. My brother always brings a smile to my Dad. And of course, every time when all of us sings. You see, the Kalambakal family is one frustrated Von Trapp Family!

I recall when my siblings and I would come up with after dinner shows ala Sound of Music, complete with invitations to my Mama, Papa and to our late Lola. We would sing and dance to our parents delight. It was fun. We were the happiest.

***Sigh*** I’m trying hard not to be sad right now. When I go home tonight to replace Mama in tending to my sick Papa, I will play his favorite songs, and perhaps sing a song for him too.