Daily Living Blog

Seeing Past The Limits – Vicky Vaughan Is Touching Seniors’ Lives Through Song

The first time I met her, she saw something in me that no one had seen that particular night. It was at a non-profit event I’d planned. She and her husband came to show their support and learn more about the organization we were promoting. It had been an exhausting yet exhilarating evening for me. She approached and softly spoke amazing words of hope and encouragement at a moment when I so desperately needed them. That was the first time I’d ever met her.

Her name is Vicky Vaughan, a remarkable singer, performer, speaker, writer and woman of faith.

The first time I heard Vicky perform in front of an audience was at another non-profit event. She was the entertainer for the non-profit’s fundraising event. A most amazing thing happened that night. Vicky observed profound things about her audience and with that she met each of us where we sat, all the while raising awareness for the needs of the organization. She captured each of us with her understanding, with her music, her wit and her compassion. She touched the heart of each attendee, providing encouragement and hope individually and corporately and she raised a lot of money for a great cause.

Her passion is carried over to all aspects of her life. Her accomplishments are vast and diverse. Vicky started singing at a young age. She comes from a long line of gifted musicians, artists and singers. She is personally and professionally dedicated to changing every life in which she comes into contact. She and her husband, Alan Tweedie, tirelessly give of themselves. They work full time with Vicky’s busy music schedule as well as their own ministry, Freedom in Jesus Christ Charitable Trust (FIJC).

Vicky has recorded three of her own albums, collaborated with her family on two additional albums and has been featured on other musical projects. She is a published author and poet. Through FIJC, Vicky and Alan are the chaplains at two area retirement and assisted living/Alzheimer care facilities. They also weekly drive throughout Missouri and Kansas to sing at various Senior Care Facilities. They manage FIJC and support numerous non-profits that promote freedom from oppression, prison, homelessness, poverty and despair as well as offering encouragement to all ages and circumstances.

I recently sat down with Vicky and Alan to discuss their passion for serving and particularly their dedication to the aging community.

Vicky, how did you get started in music? Music has always been a huge part of my life. My whole family is loaded with gifts of music and art.

What have you found to be the most rewarding part of music & performing? Knowing that I am doing what God gave me to do. That’s the most rewarding part of all of it. And did I mention that I love to do it, too?

Vicky, what started this passion for the aging community/elderly? I got a phone call from a man who used to do some booking for me about 5 years ago. He told me he’d received a call from one of the retirement facilities in the area and they were looking for someone to hold church services on Sunday mornings. Alan and I discussed it and I agreed to take it. Alan has always been very supportive of the music and ministry in my life. We started out with one little assisted living/alzheimer’s care facility in Kansas and it’s just continued to grow in ways I never dreamed.

I know Alan has said that you are totally at home on stage, what is it like when you perform for a senior community? I’m aware of how precious it is to be able to be in their lives even in small ways and how important it is that every moment we have with them has to be filled with love, fully expressed and freely given. When I’m in front of an elderly group, it’s as if every fiber of my being kicks in and suddenly I’m hilarious. Well, I have to say that’s true when I’m on stage anyway, unless that’s not what the moment calls for, as every situation is different and will affect how I perform, speak or minister.

What is the hardest part of your time with the aging audience? Over the last five years, I’ve officiated at the funerals of three of our elderly folks and sung at two others’ funerals. One of the most difficult things they have to deal with in senior communities is seeing people around them dying. They make and lose friends on a regular basis.

Is it more difficult performing for seniors with Alzheimer’s? Every audience is unique, every performance has a different perspective and purpose. What about the elderly living on their own with extremely limited income and oftentimes no one to care for them. Is that more difficult than seeing the person with Alzheimer’s whose family can no longer care for them, struggling to try to escape the facility in which they now find themselves…lost and begging everyone to take them home? Watching people suffer, listening to them as they mourn the loss of a loved one and wonder why they didn’t die, too; these are some of the most difficult situations to deal with. Seeing the fear and confusion that comes with any form of dementia as it takes its toll is sad. Very sad. And then there’s the anger many of them experience – born many times out of fear – that something is wrong without really knowing what it is and how to fix it.

Alan, what do you and Vicky hope to bring to the aging community through song and ministry? Many seniors carry wounded hearts and have a sense of abandonment. Many feel useless. They are not useless and they can minister to each other and encourage each other. At times they need to confess those hard things from their past and need to learn how to let go and give those things to our Lord Jesus Christ. Their needs are no different than those of anyone else.

And you are both Chaplains? We don’t call ourselves chaplains…maybe we are chaplains and we just don’t know it. I think we’re more like their younger brother and younger sister to them, coming alongside them with love, encouragement, hope, music, humor, counsel, scripture, testimonies and whatever else the Lord gives them through us. Yes, we hold church services and many of them consider us their pastors.

What is the most rewarding and the most heart breaking aspect of being a chaplain? Years ago, I was intimidated by the elderly – thinking they surely knew God better and considered me incapable of having anything of real value to offer, especially wisdom or knowledge. But I’ve discovered a well-kept secret in the senior community…I’ve learned that our elderly are just kids in wrinkly old bodies which don’t work as well as they used to. On the inside, they are young. I found this out one day when I jokingly said this very thing to a bunch of them – they LAUGHED and nodded their little gray and balding heads like crazy! They don’t feel old on the inside. They are shocked at how quickly the years have gone by and how slowly time seems to move for some of them in their old age – primarily because they have lost loved ones and because their bodies don’t function the ways they used to. I’ve learned that many of them have a great deal of wisdom. They’ve learned patience and so many of them know how to extend grace to others. Many have learned how to keep their suffering to themselves. Some are at peace with where they are in their journey through life. Regardless of their circumstances, every one of them needs to be loved. I can’t express the joy I have in seeing the smiles on their faces when we’re with them or the appreciation they express when I ask them for hugs. There aren’t any words to convey their expressions of gratitude for our willingness to be with them. It’s a pleasure to serve them with music and humor, hugs, love, encouragement and everything else I can. They are beautiful people and often courageous people who deserve our honor and respect.

Beyond the aging community – what is the broader focus of your ministry? Good question. Our ultimate goal is to use the gifts and talents God has given us to touch as many lives for Jesus Christ as we possibly can. We don’t care what the setting is…church, the streets, prisons, jails, schools, corporations, banks, grocery stores, hospitals, coffee houses, missions, retirement communities or the house down the street. He gave Himself freely for and to us. We’re just paying it forward – because He’s far more amazing and more beautiful than either one of us could possibly imagine or explain.

Vicky and Alan have opened their hearts, lives and ministry to all ages. Their devotion and commitment to those living in nursing home care whether it be Retirement Communities, Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Skilled Nursing is inspiring. They truly do personify Limitless Living in their daily lives as well as their professional pursuits. As a result of their work and passion, Homecare Suppliers, LLC has enlisted Vicky’s talent and support with our community awareness campaign. To wrap up our campaign in 2009 – we have been planning a free community concert that will further increase aging awareness and will exemplify Limitless Living. Vicky has graciously agreed to be our headlining performer.

Please check out Vicky, and her upcoming schedule at www.vickyv.com as well as Freedom In Jesus Christ Charitable Trust. Both Vicky and Alan are remarkable people. Vicky is a talented performer and I guarantee – she will see something in you, she will touch your heart through song and word, and you will know that life is possible – Living Unlimited!

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