“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!”  Albert Einstein

Today was quite a special occasion up in Brea.  Not only was I able to bring Justine up there to see her dad (they don’t allow any children under 12 to visit the rooms) but Vernon’s sister, Vanessa, and her husband, Paul, had arrived from England!

They will be staying for ten days, close to the hospital, so that they can visit him as often as feels right.  We have learned that just because we are up for visiting, that doesn’t mean Vernon is up for it.  So it will be great that they will have the flexibility to see him as it works out.

Paul took the kids around the corner to get donuts (Maki’s idea) while Vanessa and I we went in to visit Vernon. She came stocked up with a couple of new tee-shirts sent by his mother (we got him into one that he did NOT want to take off later.)

What touched me (and I’m sure, her) so much is how Vernon lit up when he saw her. He lifted his head and opened his eyes, reached for her hand and drew it to his mouth for a kiss. It was such a tender moment. He eagerly reached out to hold Paul’s hand as well when we met up with the others in the lobby. They are each etched very clearly in his mind. It seems at this stage he is remembering is past more than his more recent life. He has very little short-term memory.  So it is exactly the right time for Vanessa and Paul to be visiting.

They brought books to read to him and stacks of photos from his life to share (and hopefully jog his memory if necessary.)  I got to look through them myself and I was thrilled to see many from when he was a youngster that I had never even seen.  I think this will be a very special week for Vernon…and, I expect, for his guests too.

Reunited: Here is the crew, all huddled round Vernon in the lobby.  He was a little overwhelmed perhaps, with that much love around him at once…so he closed his eyes often. I notice he does this often…I’m not sure why, perhaps it is the easiest way to handle his more eventful moments. Perhaps he needs to “reset” his focus often.

We had a great afternoon together, the Corbins and the Adams’. I’m excited to think how much Vernon’s mind will grow with their attention and company this week.

I’m sure they will have some wonderful things to reminisce over.  And some entertaining stories to share with us, no doubt. Oh to be a fly on that wall!

Here are a couple more pictures from today:

I realized this is the first time Justine has seen her dad sitting up and with semi-regular clothes on.  She was a bit shy at first but then got a serious case of the giggles anytime he said anything. Much like a young girl with a crush….which I suppose is exactly what it is.

And here are both of Vernon’s kiddos.  Shining like the stars they are. First family picture for a long time.