Yesterday, the Logie family (three of them this time) showed up to play music. They also brought board games, face paint, watercolors, brushes, and paper. It was as if Saturday’s Creativity Workshop had folded itself up and flown up to Costa Mesa only to open itself in front of us again. It was wonderful.
Annie was a wizard with the face paint,
…which matched Anita’s sweater.
Bridging the gap with a board game from Lord-knows-when. Actually on the way home, Maki suggested we stop at the bookstore to buy a board game “because they’re fun.”
98 year old Alta saw that music was playing through her window, and caught my attention with her tapping. I wheeled her outside so she could enjoy a front row spot (as well as Chris’ hat.)
Paintings were made, dancing was done.
When Bingo got out, we drew an even larger crowd.
Even Ramona, Vernon’s favorite CNA, came in for a hug as she was leaving for the day.
Even the garden statues seemed to be in on the fun.
The creative sparks were alive and well at Mesa Verde .
“But unless we are creators we are not fully alive. What do I mean by creators? Not only artists, whose acts of creation are the obvious ones of working with paint of clay or words. Creativity is a way of living life, no matter our vocation or how we earn our living. Creativity is not limited to the arts, or having some kind of important career.” —Madeline L’Engle
So yesterday, I got to do a talk/workshop/event centered on the importance of creative practice in our lives. My good friend Christine was my wing-woman, whom I called regularly over the past month to run ideas by or get advice in the planning. It was really fun brainstorming with her, especially as we have talked about collaborating on something for years. I also had help on the day from some wonderful artists* that made the whole thing run so nicely. It was so great to be a part of a collective peacefulness as the women got into the flow. And the music, by Annie Rose and Isabelle, was of course fantastic.. I was given a generous “love offering” that blessed my socks off. Thank you to everyone who came, for being so openhearted and willing to play.
(Look how big Maisie is getting! Swoon!)
Thank you so much to Patti at San Clemente Art Supply—and to the helpful crew there. Thank you to Lisa, Traci, Tammy, Amber, Mom, Kirsten, Liz, Kelly, Helen, Karen, Lindsay, Hailey, Lucinda, Alexandra, and Lauren, Sue. See, its obvious you made it awesome.
I got the following email from my dad, who lately has been shouldering the Saturday morning slot, when he has been able. Here is a picture I found of the two of them from a couple of years back. Not the best pic of them, but at least they are in it together!
Hi Allison and Anne,
Vernon had been there awhile when I showed up. He was glad to be told he had a visitor when I was announced.
Lots of interesting things today. I wrote a few notes to catch them.
I showed him my new (used) book on Whistler etchings, which he handled awkwardly but thought it all “beautiful.” I showed him two art magazines, with the same response. Later I went though one of them, page by page, holding it myself, which was better. He read the title of one, “Southwest Art” which I thought impressive. Later I read him one of the articles, which was pretty light weight; then read out of the etching book, which was better—for both of us.
He was preoccupied at moments about the ride he’d be getting “home” and whether they’d be coming. “In about five minutes” was the answer he preferred. At one point he asked the young and pretty attendant about it. The dialogue went like this:
Him: “Are you taking me?”
Her: “I’m Vietnamese.”
Him: “In the truck?”
Her: “Not Chinese, Vietnamese.”
Later he burst out,
“O God, I forgot my English bank card.
“That’s really bad!
“I don’t know if I’ll need it.
“If I do, I’m screwed.”
He said he’d been swimming earlier this morning. I asked him where and he wracked his brain to remember, exasperated that he couldn’t. He also said he’d be going to “the exhibition” tomorrow but again, couldn’t name the place. Knew it south of Oceanside, south of Solano Beach, but not as far as San Diego. Again, he was frustrated with himself that he couldn’t remember these place names. I told him I’m the same way much of the time.
I asked him about his roommate, Joe, but he said he’d not seen him lately, not at all.
At one point he was moving around so much the machine started beeping and the staff came over to check on things. Vernon said that happens when the car moves. Snova drives the car.
I asked if he’d heard from his parents of late and he said no. Then he corrected himself and said he’d received a letter, but it was out of date.
I talked a little about Justine and Maki, with some details of Maki’s new start in high school. He said Maki is really funny, that’s why he loves him. He also brought up the other Maki.
“The other Maki?” I asked.
“Yes, Maki Maki. M. A. K. I. That’s how you spell it.
“Okay.”
Toward the end he really wanted to get out of the chair and fought a bit, cursed a bit, when restrained, first by me, then helped by others. He then calmed down, being told the drivers were just five minutes away.
About half an hour later (on time) they did come, and I was excused, per their wish.
So, there’s a report.
Love to you both,
Dad/Hyatt
“Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.” —Mark Twain
From Allison: I’m taking this opportunity to remind people that we are still in need of sitters for Vernon. I believe this week is covered, but I will be going away on a brief trip soon , and it would be great to know things are settled here. Vernon is increasingly better company at Dialysis, and is able to sit still much longer and more comfortably. Please consider being involved with Vernon’s healing journey and sign up for a spot HERE.
When I arrived today, Mike was already mid-session with Vernon on his mat. Music was playing, as usual. I recognized it immediately as my friend Kirsten Ford’a new album. Kirsten is a mutual friend of mine and Mikes—she actually came to sing to Vernon back when he was in a coma. It’s a fantastic album. But what was so impressive today is that Vernon was responding to the recorded music. So far he really has only responded to live music (thank you again to those who have come to share your gift of song.)
I guess Mike had been talking to him about all the good vibrations of love in the music, because Vernon seemed absolutely touched by the fact that he knew who the person singing was…not to mention the background musicians. I thought he would cry. He seemed absolutely humbled and amazed. I don’t have her album to link here yet, but Mike also played some other songs that Kirsten had recorded with some other musical friends, Rich Folk, which some of us affectionately refer to as “our community band.”
As for the mat, Vernon is still responding really well. He seems more comfortable in general each time I visit him and our dialogue is beginning to seem like it comes from him, rather than being suggested to him.
Although I knew Mike was American Indian and gifted in healing, I found out today that he comes from a long line of tribal healers. Why should I have been surprised? He is tapped into technology now, in a way that his ancestors couldn’t be. But when I saw these pictures from the back, I imagined him with long hair and some kind of traditional dress…squint your eyes and you might see the connection too. Vernon-as-I-knew-him would be getting a kick out of this. Being British, he had strong romantic notions about the American Indian history and attitudes, which were so exotic to his culture. All I can say is God works in mysterious ways. And the more people you can get involved in the mystery, the more fun it is to watch the Goodness revealed.
I can’t explain everything that is happening. But from the beginning, good and bad, we’ve been in great company. I just love the variety of people who have been involved. It’s the way it should be, I think. And we aren’t done yet.
Signing off with grateful and open arms to whatever comes tomorrow.
To compliment tonight’s viewing pleasure, this song is offered as background music.
Bear with me on this series of videos. I’ve never learned to edit. So pretend they are all one continuous movie. If you are in a hurry, just watch number 6.
(Did you hear that? He said: “Don’t equip me at all.”
just so happens…there’s been a Supermoon all weekend.
A special cover of Vernon's fav song 'Waterloo Sunset' by friend and singer/song-writer Ian McGlynn. All proceeds support Vernon's recovery! Donate what you can and download a beautiful song in return.
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