April 25
Backstory to ‘Piercing the Silence’
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Last year, Jeanette Grant Thomson's story 'Piercing the Silence' was published in our 8th anthology, Terracotta Travellers and other stories of life.
Jeanette won second prize in the Open category for her story. In awarding the prize, Judge Dr Mark Worthing wrote, 'This is a story about the power of the psalms. It tells the story of a woman suffering from Alzheimer’s from the perspective of her daughter. It is well-written and honest. The daughters continue to talk to their mum and read here scripture long after she ceases being responsive. Then one day near the end she responds verbally to Psalm 84. The power of a few simple verses is demonstrated. And we are remined never to underestimate what those who appear gone from this reality might still comprehend. In the end, both the Psalm and the mother’s clear response to it are gifts from God.'
The Backstory
Jeanette shared the backstory to her winning entry: Mum’s decline with Alzheimer’s Disease was a very difficult time for us – not to mention, for her. She was puzzled and, I think, afraid. We had no idea, for several years, what was wrong with her.
Mum ready for a concert
Early years
In our childhood Mum was a lovely-looking lady who usually appeared very well-dressed and was a gifted singer. She also loved gardening and kept our big old Queenslander decorated with beautifully arranged flowers from our garden.
She sang in concerts and contests and did well, so during our childhoods we regularly heard her lovely soprano voice trilling through her exercises.
Mum before her second marriage
fighting the disease
She was widowed while young and several years later moved to a smaller home on the hill at Burleigh (on the Gold Coast). Some years later, she remarried but soon after, she began to struggle with her memory.
After her second husband passed away, she moved back to Brisbane to be near us. Then came the dramas about lost keys and locking herself out of her house as her memory began to fail. The doctor eventually diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, which was unheard of at the time.
The author (right) and sister Arlene visiting mum
We fought for Mum’s recovery in prayer and with any available medical assistance but she reached a time when she needed a nursing home. At first she loved it there and sang much of the time, to the apparent delight of the other oldies. My sister and I visited her often, taking flowers – we hoped she might remember the flowers she’d loved so well, their appearance and fragrance. We told her all the ‘news’ but she eventually lapsed into silence and just lay there, silent and inert.
It was hard to see her like this. We had no idea if she could understand even the Bible pieces we read her as there was no response. Then I felt God put it on my heart to read her Psalm 84 – and you see her surprising response in the story. So we continued to read her psalms and other favourite Bible excerpts. I think she responded in her spirit to the psalmist’s sentiments.
Do you have a story of faith and testimony that could be published in our next anthology? We are now accepting submissions until 31 July in these categories.
Contributors are encouraged to take advantage of Feedback Month in June when our editors give feedback on story drafts at no cost to contributors. Announcement of stories selected for publication will be in October. The book launch and announcement of prize winners will be in November.
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