| "THE SINGER & A REAL JOB" It was the Fall of 1986 and music had already been the dominant part of my life for as long as I can remember. As early as age five I was singing for my family and our neighbors and loving the spotlight. Whenever I performed in the bars, at fairs, and at parties, so many people would say,"You should be singing in Nashville", so I decided to take them up on their advice. My husband Paul who is a songwriter/musician and I packed up the house and the kids and we headed south. I was so excited, my dream come true. I remem-ber on the way stopping to eat at a Western Sizzler in Lebanon Tn. and announc-ing to all that I was heading to Nashville to be a "Singer". Needless to say my children were quite embarrassed. After we settled in it was time to hit the town. It was at that time I had a rude awakening. I wasn't the only person who came to town to be a Country Singer. Paying jobs were scarce and open Mic nights were abundant. Since my children were use to modern conveniences, such as, Heat, Electricity, and Food, it was time for me to get my first "REAL JOB". My skills were limited to raising children and singing songs. There was one other thing I liked and that was Old People. I decided to apply at a nursing home for a job as a nurses aide. The only opening was for the 3 to 11 shift. I had to turn it down because my kids needed me home in the evening and also, I would never get a chance to hit the music circuit. Next the Interviewer said, there is an opening in the Activities department from 8a.m. to 4p.m. I asked what will I have to do? She said, sing songs and play games with the patients. I never knew a job like this exsisted, but the hours were great and they were gonna pay me a whopping $4.25 an hour, so I accepted the position. God's light sure was shinning on me that day. Next to signing a Record Deal, this turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. It's now twelve years later and I am the Activities Director, Music Therapist, and a Geriatric Consultant for a nursing home that deals with late stage Alzeheimer's Disease. In the late stages of this disease, most who are afflicted suffer with depression, behavoir disturbances, and are unable to speak a coherent sentence and some are unable to speak at all. I've learned to touch them through music. When I play my guitar and sing their faces brighten up and some who are unable to speak can actually sing the words through the whole song. Now that's amazing. In addition to helping them, they have taught me compassion, love, and what really matters in life is to be thankful for what you have and don't waste a moment. As I continue to perform at the nursing home, the stage may not be as large as I had hoped for, but the APPRECIATION certainly is. Many of the family members and staff will come up to me and say, "You should be singing in Nashville", and I just smile and dream. Cookie Evans |