Midnight tonight will mark NIGHT 3 of our hospital stay. Will our medical pumpkin turn into a stagecoach? So strange to get exactly what you wish for. Someone said earlier to me today at the hospital: “With God, nothing is wasted.” Take that how you understand it, as I know not everyone reading this has a concrete faith. But I let those words sink under my skin because honestly, the past couple of days have been very complex emotionally to me. Hospitals are intense places. On the one hand, we are in the most beautiful facility I’ve been in. I am overwhelmed by the caring nature of the staff, getting exact information on Vernon’s condition as it changes, calls at home from the Doctor, and above-and-beyond social care, with guidance to Vernon’s future, even months down the line.
But these last few days have been emotionally challenging in unexpected ways. I suppose our body stores up the stresses of the past until we are able to release them. And being in a hospital with Vernon unresponsive (yes, he is getting better, but he is still very quiet and detached in his recovery) brings me right back to those three months last summer. Without discrediting those who have gone through worse, I can relate to small symptoms of PTSD emerging in this place. It has been easy to let my mind go to very negative places if I give an inch. But if I stay there too long, I start to drown a bit…or at least, I fear drowning in thoughts that might never end. I can only allow these moments of fear and grief to take over for moments because I still have a family to take care of…these kids are my lifeline in the end, you see?
I know Vernon will be better very soon. He will be back to the nursing home in no time. And we will have our insurance plan A. But wow, nothing is wasted.
That said, let us return to goodness in the land of the living, I love finding the bright things that keep us anchored. And truly, they keep coming. Yesterday, a birthday package came for Vernon’s birthday from Google headquarters. To all you font guys who had a hand in this, thanks for the tee shirt.
(Front and back below)
2o Billion Views? If I had a dollar, right? Well done, guys. And well done, Vernon for Oswald.
Quick personal note on this: I see Vernon’s fonts everyday. Noticeably Amatic and Pacifico. Just little weird reminders. For a quiet English guy, he seems to be everywhere.
His friend and colleague Dave was here earlier in the week, but he’s not the only one of his type designer circle that has been showing support. Ebon Sorkin, who has been helping with Vernon’s unfinished work behind the scenes (as well as his own work) sent a series of posters to print for Vernon’s wall. You don’t have to have a degree in Typography to appreciate their loveliness.
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Dear friends I miss you so much! I have been sick this week but following your posts and praying big time! You are such an inspiration Allison and Vernon and the kids are as well! When Vernon is up for it we are going to show up with music and good cheer! For now, we are praying for you all regularly as a family and cheering you on. Keep up the good fight! xoxoxo
Brilliant!!! Praying…Praising (Thank you Lord for answered Prayers and that everything can be used by you for you for our Good). Romans 8:28!! Love!!
Hi 🙂 thank you for writing Allison. What an intense journey…
Grateful to hear Vernon is on the mend… i enjoyed the lovely fonts.
We are praying throughout the day for Vernon! And you and the kids. Love you all! K
Allison, you are right to recognize the PTSD moments you are having. It’s important to see that while Vernon suffered tangible trauma, you (and your kids) suffered trauma too. Don’t negate it. While he is in the hospital might be a great time to ask one of those wonderful chaplains about any resources they might suggest. You need care too.
I love this SO MUCH – you know how much a fontafile I am … my clients have no idea but all the sites I design use Vernon’s fonts 😀 Google guys you are awesome!
Dear Allison,
You stand by your man and do everything for him that you can. Am glad that he is better. Would love to see him go home and walk thru those doors which will be something that will come up before long. Let him that people all over are praying for him. I know this has been hard on you but you have stood in there by his side and been the faithful wife and more. Prayers are coming your way.
Love,
Becky
I am sitting here in the early grey morning of the North of Scotland , looking out over the North Sea and where it meets the North Atlantic. Vernon you have been so on my mind, and I have been thinking about all the courage and great inner strength you have showed us all in these last few months. It is just so heartbreaking to think of you lying ill in a hospital bed after so many steps forward . It is also heartwarming to see all these beautiful posts and comments and see how very loved you are by all your family and friends. I pulled out our old Cheltenham School of Art Degree show catalogue and am looking at your photo and statement ( that you quoted from Peter Hayley) ;
“Nostalgia is not a passing phenomenon precipitated by the ‘Conservation’ of the 80’s. Rather, it is a structural Reality and it affects all current utterances ..’
So like you Vernon- to pop in a mind blaster like that as your mission statement!
Please get very well soon, love Merran oxo
thats great to see…thanks for posting, Merran. I have no idea what Vernon meant by that statement, but I would have loved to know the young Vernon who said it! 🙂
Also…if you have any photos of his work from that time, I’d love to see them…in a catalogue or elsewhere. He kept very little of his work over the years, and perhaps something would ring a bell? you have his address, which I check from time to time. But I can also be reached here or at wunderali@gmail.com. Xoxo