Beautiful and haunting, it's always been a family favorite. Joni Mitchell's 'The Circle Game' is a song I remember Mom singing to me and my sister when we were little. I believe the music and seeing her grandchildren learn the songs she loved gave her some comfort and peace. Singing through tears and laughter every day for hours surely helped us, but also helped my mom - who without visitors and social contact to anchor her slipped further away each day. The songs she engaged in most were the ones that had been meaningful throughout her life. We were able to hold 'private concerts'' for her from our living room. We went through the folk songbook Rise Up Singing page by page, spending hours playing and singing songs that she used to know by heart.īy the time she started falling and was taken to the hospital for observation, she couldn't manage video call technology, but the amazing nursing staff helped us. My kids and I would hold regular singalongs with her. My sister, aunt and I started relying on daily video calls to stay connected to her. She was alone in her room for the last 84 days of her life, and her symptoms, like hallucinations, became more disruptive. I believe the social isolating dimension of the pandemic sped up her death. From family gatherings to long car rides, singing (despite our talents) was a part of it.Īlthough my mother died from complications related to COVID-19, she had also suffered from Parkinson's for several years. My mom, Paula Einbender, loved musicals and singing folk music. We're calling our tribute Songs Of Remembrance.

NPR is remembering some of those who lost their lives by listening to the music they loved and hearing their stories.

from COVID-19 since the pandemic hit this country and the world just over a year ago. More than 500,000 people have died in the U.S.

The Circle Game by Joni Mitchell