A video shared by Grace Nakazawa Santos has resonated with internet users worldwide. It shows an intimate moment with her 92-year-old Brazilian grandmother, who struggles with memory loss.
The grandmother recognizes Grace only through the song "Alma Gêmea" (Soulmate), the theme from the 2005 Brazilian soap opera of the same name. Grace recalls watching the soap opera as a child, even without understanding the language, and memorizing the song. It became their unique way of communicating.
Grace's grandmother would alter the lyrics, changing "I'm dying to be with you" to "missing you," a detail that became a cherished memory. Now, even with her memory failing, she still sings the song. Grace notes how the song evokes a strong memory response.
The story highlights music's power to connect generations and preserve family bonds, even when faced with memory loss.