Happy Father’s Day to all you dads and dad’s-to-be. Basically most men.
Last night the kids and I made more artwork for the ever growing wall.
The hospital staff comes in and looks at whatever we have recently added and many of them even ask me about the kids as they pass me in the hallway. Apparently, they don’t always get a bigger picture of the patient they are working on, or have any notion of their world outside. (Today, however, I heard about a trauma patient who had posters wrapping outside of the room into the main hallway. Hopefully we won’t be here that long.)
And our little project of bringing things to Vernon’s wall, though it was originally about giving him something familiar and special to wake up to, has caused the three of us at home to draw closer at a table without Dad. We can find strength in our collective story, but we also have another way to reach out to him from home. Its a shame only “artists” learn how to express themselves this way, because I truly believe that taking the time to create anything is a powerful tool. Its not about the outcome, as much as it is the experience of getting something out of yourself onto a surface of some kind. Try it, really! (Just don’t be hard on yourself about it…or worry about what someone else might say. That’s the killer.)
Here are some that Maki and I made last night. Mine (on the right) is pretty self explanatory: helmets save lives. (Duh!)
Maki’s is much more interesting. He said the face in the storm is us, happy yet crying tears of sadness, which collect in the ocean of prayers that hold Daddy up in a peaceful boat. Whoa. Even the respirator technician, who came in to the room as I was hanging this, looked at it once and said it should be framed.
Even though I have pretty much used all the tape from the hospital desk (wonder what insurance will charge for THAT?) Tracy, the sweet-taking receptionist, offered me some of her craft supplies to send yet another Father’s Day message to our main man.
From Father’s Day, 2013
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Just beautiful Allison… I love the art you and the kids are creating. Those photos from last year…tears. Just beautiful…all I can say.
Praying all the time for healing, peace and God’s spirit of love to surround all of you…I love you and Vernon
I know you do, Kirsten. You are a part of our family. We love you too! Looking forward to coffee in the am.
Allison the pictures you and the kids created are a wonderful expression of the love you have for Vernon and each other. We continue to pray for all of you as you wait for the Lord to wake him gently. We pray for continued healing and peace. We also pray that the doctors will continue to have wisdom as they care for Vernon. ♥ the Jones family
Thank you for your constant care, Sylvia. I know I haven’t always been able to write back and say so…but I see your comments and I feel so touched by your committed prayer to this story. Its absolutely astounding the Love that you generate, and the faith. I’ve also gotten a few letters from the team at your mom’s church. I’m saving them to show to Vernon when he wakes. Thank you so much.
Dear Allison, I want you to know how much it means to be able to follow your journey as it it gives ours prayers a direction. As a nurse this has been a valuable reminder to me that we care for far more than the patient in the bed. We care for the family and by extension, all the wonderful extended family and friends that you have. On the days when we feel that nothing that we have done has mattered, it is good to remember the unseen yet far reaching effect of our work. We do pray for our patients and their families, all through that necessary clinical detachment. Sometimes we can’t be detached and sometimes we don’t want to. I’m sure all the nurses and doctors and the whole care team care for Vernon and the family, maybe even more than they would like. Thank you again for sharing and know that our prayers are with you and the whole team.
That is really interesting, Barb. If I weren’t on this path already, I might think about going back to school and becoming a nurse. Wow! What wonderful people and what a difference they make. I really never had any true idea. Keep doing what you do…even if you don’t get back from the patients and families what you deserve. You make such a difference, every day! Truly, you are one of the Important People in life.
Dear Allison, Your words and photographs are beautiful.
Maki’s painting is so profound for such a young person. It is wonderful that you have created an art therapy table together to share and express what you are feeling in this most difficult time. Vernon will see the love and dedication of his family which will be an amazing healing medicine to him. Peace, love and prayers to you all tonight.
Wow! Maki’s painting is so meaningful. I hope you save these paintings in a book when Vernon goes home. The kids will be interested in looking at them years from now.
I was so moved by your words that you are finding strength in drawing together and expressing your collective story. Your description of art as a way of “getting something out of yourself onto a surface of some kind” is brilliant and so beautifully expressed through Maki’s insightful and moving painting. We continue to hold you in our prayers and always in our hearts.
your art therapy is such a wonderful thing. helping you all be positive while you cope with what each day brings. i continue with prayers for all of you…
Hi Allison! I have finally found out how to interact with the blog 🙂 Thank you so much for all the wonderful pictures and informative and beautiful updates. It means a lot to me to be able to follow the developments. I am so sorry about this terrible accident that happend to Vernon and my heart is with you, Justine and Maki in this difficult time. The picture by Maki is just beautiful and so meaningful. I am so glad you are spending time together making lots of art. Lots of love from Helene
Hi Helene. Its so nice to hear from you. Synnove has been taking good care of us all. She thought she came for Maki, but she has been a true angel for Justine and myself too. Thank you for your words, and I’m glad we are in touch again. Hope you are doing well.
Hi again Allison. Yes, I am so glad we are in touch again. I am just so sorry it’s in these difficult circumstances. I was very ill when we lost touch but i’m well now. Justine has become such a beautiful little girl! I’m glad Synnøve could be there for you. I wish I could have been there for you all. I hope you get enough rest so you keep up the strength. I admire you so much for how well you are dealing with this all. Best wishes for speedy recovery to Vern and warm thougths to you all from a very cold Norway 🙂
Oh my gosh! Reading the description of Maki’s painting brought tears to MY eyes! Sheesh, you guys are truly amazing. Sending more love and more hugs from Philly! 🙂