The Joyful Sound

September 19, 2011 by rhemashope

“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound…” ~Psalm 85:15

I have such a soft spot for the voices of children with autism. Some have only just begun to talk; some never seemed to have trouble speaking at all. Some script, some have poor articulation, some are monotone and echolalic.

But to hear their voices, it just gets me. They charm me with their glorious sounds, and honestly, there are times I could dance. I know, I know what a miracle it is.

A few of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard:

Joy. I dare you to hear her and not smile; no words necessary, her joy is catching:
http://elvis-sightings.blogspot.com/2010/09/yawns-are-funny.html

Brooke. I’ve listened to a bajillion renditions of Amazing Grace in my time, never one as beautiful as this:
http://adiaryofamom.wordpress.com/2009/08/18/amazing-grace/

BoyWonder. He lives up to his name and this is the sound that reminds me anything is possible:
http://theadventuresofboywonder.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html

Reid. Reid wrote and sang this song at his baptism years ago. It’s a powerful, beautiful statement of faith that still brings on the tears and goosebumps. (Scroll down to the 2nd youtube clip),
http://autismunplugged.blogspot.com/2009/03/praying-with-lior.html

And always on the list is the sound of Rhema speaking words of her Bible verse, the one I have said to her every night since she was a baby. It’s been a long time since we’ve heard those words, but we believe they’re there in her heart, and we will hear them again.

Today we were blessed with another sound, a new song. We were all sitting in the living room having what we call “family devotion time.” Brandon prayed, Rhema began to hum softly. Anyone who reads this blog knows that Rhema hums constantly. This time was vastly different because for the first time in almost eight years we recognized a tune. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!!!

B stopped praying, no one moved and we held our breath as Rhema’s soft song filled the air. She seemed to notice that we’d all gone silent and she stopped humming. B’s voice was thick with emotion as he said,

“We hear you, Rhema.”

And then, just for us, she hummed the song again.
Just a little nursery rhyme, but there are no words to describe the beauty of it. We are amazed as she shares with us little by little all that’s inside her, all that she knows and understands. Thank you, Lord, for ears to hear Rhema’s song.

For the rest of the day we hummed and sang the tune, begging her to do it again. While I bathed her, I was able to catch a bit of it on my cell phone. It doesn’t do it justice, but it’s a taste (yeah, pump up the volume). Can you hear the joyful sound?

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Posted in Ordinary Miracles | 19 Comments

19 Responses

on September 19, 2011 at 6:48 am | Reply Jasmin

Oh Jeneil…that was beautiful. Such a moment of pure joy for you all.
on September 19, 2011 at 7:43 am | Reply Mother to Mother

More to Come!!In Jesus name…..Prayers!!!!!! Sis Taggart
on September 19, 2011 at 7:54 am | Reply Kelly

Love that girl’s sweet voice! Aaron is here and he said “too bad she lives far. If she was my neighbor and wanted to visit she could hum and I could play the piano and we could make music together.” So, take that as your official invitation if you ever come to Delaware.
on September 19, 2011 at 8:30 am | Reply the jay train

I heard it. Loud & Clear! From the tips of my toes to the top of my head I heard it.
on September 19, 2011 at 8:53 am | Reply Deb

I absolutely hear it!! I sit here with my eyes filled with tears. I am blessed by her song and your thankful heart.
on September 19, 2011 at 9:37 am | Reply AutisticSpeaks

Clear as day, Jeneil!
on September 19, 2011 at 9:44 am | Reply Phyllis at All Things Beautiful

“We hear you!”, in my opinion, is the best thing you can do for your child, with autism or otherwise, but especially those with autism.
on September 19, 2011 at 10:02 am | Reply therocchronicles

Beautiful post J. We hear her, what a beautiful sound! You brightened my very foggy morning. xoxo
on September 19, 2011 at 11:45 am | Reply akbutler

That. Is. Beautiful. And the fact that Brandon was home to hear it…so perfect. I will think of rhema every time I hear that song now.
on September 19, 2011 at 12:23 pm | Reply Beth Cotell

It IS Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star! So clear. So beautiful. Way to go Rhema!
on September 19, 2011 at 5:56 pm | Reply Donna Murray

Oh, what a joyful sound!!!

Olivia’s world is wrapped in song. But, for as much as she “sings” to the tune of so many songs, she still can only speak a couple of words to communicate her wants/needs. This summer it was “winning” for “swimming.”

And starting last week, it is “COO-KIE.” Clear as a bell. She wheels herself into the pantry, parks herself in front of the snack shelf, and says it over and over again. Coo-kie. Our girl has had a lot of cookies… for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack…

All because it’s our way of saying, “Sweet girl, we hear you!!!”
Such joyful, joyful sounds.
<3
on September 19, 2011 at 11:26 pm | Reply Tanya Savko

“We hear you, Rhema.” – You do, every moment of every day. And so do we! Big, joyful hugs to you!
on September 20, 2011 at 7:54 am | Reply Niksmom

Glorious! I never tire of hearing Nik’s sing-songy humming even when it’s (seemingly) nonsensical. There is something about the connection to music which transcends thought and speaks right to his heart and mine. BTW, Kelly doesn’t live far from me…we could make a delightful occasion of it!
on September 21, 2011 at 8:21 pm | Reply Boy Wonder's Mom

Amazing. Sing Away Rhema! Sing Away!!!
on September 22, 2011 at 2:45 pm | Reply KAL

Love this so very much!
on September 23, 2011 at 2:02 am | Reply Humble heart « Autism In a Word

[...] Comments « The Joyful Sound [...]
on September 23, 2011 at 10:37 am | Reply Cheairs

Beautiful! Joyful! Miracle! I have tears in my eyes. I can feel her humming.Just beautiful!
on September 26, 2011 at 9:11 am | Reply Kim

Alleluia! Rejoicing with you in a joyful song!
on September 27, 2011 at 7:33 am | Reply JoyMama

Oh, those sweet, sweet sounds!
Simply beautiful.