By Marie McNair, Brookhaven, Long Island, NY

Sometimes teaching the Faith comes about in the least expected places and from the mouths of the least expected people.

That is what happened with my mother, Carmela Shure, a longtime Bahá’í and founding member more than 50 years ago of the Town of Hempstead Spiritual Assembly, also on Long Island.

Like many older people, my mother, now age 94, had developed dementia, which caused a steady decline in her abilities to remember, communicate, and be aware of what is going on around her.

Because Mom had always been a music lover, my sister engaged a music therapist to visit my mom once a week. But honestly, because of her decline, Mom never engaged with the therapist or even seemed to be listening.

It was in the course of one of those visits, however, that something quite extraordinary occurred. As she usually did, the therapist asked Carmela if she wanted her to sing anything particular.

Her usual response was no response. But on that particular day, Carmela turned to the therapist and said quite clearly, “I want you to sing ‘We Are Drops,’ a Bahá’í song.”

Not knowing of the song, or even of the existence of the Bahá’í Faith, the therapist left the appointment determined to get information to fulfill the patient’s request. Not only did she find the words and the melody for the song, but she also learned a whole lot about the Faith.

The therapist returned the next week ready to sing the song and to weave Bahá’í concepts into the conversation, a practice she has continued since that day.

She has also incorporated “We are Drops” into the list of songs that she performs for other patients and groups, as she feels that it is uplifting and positive, something good for everyone. And she introduces it as a Bahá’í song.

Mom’s mental condition continues to decline. But when the therapist plays that song, she can be seen tapping her fingers or smiling a quick smile of joy. The therapist and I marvel at this.