Our friend Susan Logie volunteered to sit with Vernon during his dialysis today. This post is taken from a text update (with pictures) that she sent my way.
Among other ideas to keep his attention, she had brought in some music videos her son’s band had made. Vernon told her he loved them and asked for them again by name a few minutes later. This doesn’t surprise me…the music is great. Maki, Justine, and I are fans too.
At one point, Vernon was inspired to dictate a letter to Maki. Here you have it:
“How are you today? My good son, I am thinking as I watch a kinks video that you and I could for a band. And play live. What do you think about that plan? I think it would be very cool for us to do. What could the name of the band be? Could you think of some names please?
That’s to the point. Lots of love—Vernon”
(He opted to sign his own name, which I must say he did very well. I forgot to ask which hand he used.)
I’ll be up to see Vernon tomorrow, though some plans have changed. We have opted to postpone the swallow study scheduled for the afternoon as we still don’t have results from CT scan and nothing has been done to alleviate his edema. I am concerned that the swelling of his neck, etc. may make it harder to swallow. He’ll have a better chance of “passing” the test once this issue has been solved. It’s always something, but I think its wise to focus on the biggest issue at hand. This week, its the mystery swelling and the new problems that brings. Once this is solved, we can move on to the next.
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What a wonderful letter written on the nice paper. Staring a band isn’t the worst idea. I remember Vernon was talking about this a while ago. Anyway thinking about names for bands is a very good past time, and then you’re ready for the day you actually start a band.
(Happy to hear you’re not in every day!) Take care. Lots of love from Synnøve
i always wonder how people come up with some of these names. Some brilliant ones and some downright weird ones. Guess you are right: it takes time!
WOW! an amazing letter for Maki … i know Vern would love to make a band with Maki ..Vern was in a band at school..they used to practice round our family home alot ..as i said many times, one of the band members is in the group BLUR …..
..and i cannot believe Vern signed his name .. you can tell who signed it!!!
xx lots of love to you all xx
Vernon was quite chatty once I began to show him you tube videos of bands. Of course he loved The Kinks, and I showed him Telegram, which he did ask for again by name minutes later. It was then he said, “i want to be in a band with Maki” and I asked him a few questions about that thought before taking out my pen and paper. He said he could play at a place in town run by a guy named Jesus. He has a band called The Eden Tribe. We then moved on to Coldplay. He totally loved Chris Martin. He said over and over that Chris Martin is “so gorgeous” He said,, “I can’t believe I have a love affair for Chris Martin” “I wonder what Sanova would say?” (I don’t know who Synnove is, but I see she has signed in. :)) What about Allison? I asked, he said, “Ya, what about Allison? I think she’d love him too. And I’d encourage it!” Later I asked him if he could holiday anywhere, money is no object, where would he go? He said “In time” “I would travel back in time, to England in the 60’s and listen to the bands.” I know his mind has ups and downs, but TIME TRAVEL!? I was impressed. Yesterday Vernon was such a pleasant chap to spend some time with. I hate that he is hooked up to machines, and all the effort that is with him each day. I am continually impressed and inspired by the depth of love in Allison. Allison you are teaching us how to live with incredible dignity in difficult places. God bless you for who you are, and all you do.
p.s Vanessa Corbin, who is the guy in Blur that Vernon used to make music with? My family just saw Blur at theHollywood bowl last week. They LOVED them!
hi ..thankyou for writing down some more conversation with Vern..it is so lovley to read xx
the member of Blur is ALEX JAMES .. vern and him were at school together ..he was often at our family house player their guitars …..
yes! And Blur was just in town. Perhaps it gave him the idea! 🙂
gosh vern would have loved to have gone and seen them ..good catch up with Alex xx
Allison and Maki,
What a great thing for Vern to do. He is still in that body and it will just take some time to get to know how to bring these wonderful things out in him. Vern is really a miracle in small doses and these letter to Maki is proff of that. God is still by his side and guiding the people who surround him every day.
God blessing on all of you who are taking care of Vern and have the privilege of caring for Vern.
Becky
thanks for that reminder, Becky. I forget that he is a miracle in small doses sometimes…what a delightful way to name it!
A fabulous vision to have, to start a band with Maki!What a beautiful letter to Maki from his daddy!
I like the “miracle in small doses” too.
I am so excited to see the different progress’s Vernon is
making, in so many different areas!!!
As for the swelling, have any Doctors considered that the
kidney machine is not doing enough right now? So hoping they will find the cause!!
Hugs,
Barbara