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Hi, I’m Jen. If I haven’t met you somewhere along this journey, I’m one of the many people out there blessed first by Allison’s friendship, then by the addition of Vernon and Maki into her, and our lives. It was about a year ago that Vernon, a font designer, and myself, a graphic designer, decided to set up an office space in downtown San Clemente. We painted a wall, built a couple tables, and have shared many laughs over coffee or tea with friends and clients. That gives you some background to my posting to the blog this evening.
Today I had the opportunity to make a visit to the hospital with Allison and our friend Allanah. It had been about a week since I had seen Vernon. I picked up a couple of his font and design books from the office, as something familiar to share and maybe read to him. On my last visit, he had just begun to open his eyes and his jaw was still wired shut. It was special to know that Allison was finally beginning to get some face time on the other side of the intense sedation he had been under. I hope you don’t think this is bad of me, but I think I had hoped for him to be able to express himself more than he could. And I think that just comes from not knowing exactly what to expect. As we ask many questions so that we might know what we can reasonably anticipate in Vernon’s recovery, the answer boils down to this, each person is different. Vernon’s case is unique to him, his combination of injuries, how long he’ll take to overcome the next hurdle.
And just as I was feeling unsure of how things are going, I could see ‘hope’ all over again today. ‘Signs and Wonders’ if you will.
He really had progressed so much since my last visit. Where he had one eye open, he now held both eyes open. And closed them on Ali’s request. I spied a new cautious testing of his jaw movement. Hand squeezes and raising his shoulders indicated a clear response to our questions.
Now those of you who know me are aware of my off-beat sense of humor. You’ll enjoy this. Somehow in our talking to Vernon, I asked about my poor sense of humor. I asked “Vernon, squeeze Ali’s hand if I have the worst sense of humor.” Well, I thought I was in the clear as no response initially came, then sure enough, the biggest shoulder movement and squeeze we’d seen so far. Geez, thanks Vernon.
In all seriousness, I know you would all be as touched as I was, to see Allison gently ask Vernon questions, to let him know what is happening, how Maki and Justine are, and just their special connection in this new way of communicating. These next days will require equal doses patience and encouragement. I smile ear to ear when I see all of the ways their friends, church and community have rallied around the Adam’s family. You guys, you are great — I see my dear friend Allison being strengthened by you. And I see Vernon being astounded not too long in the future, when he feels the love that has poured in for him from around the world.
I look forward to seeing what is next, celebrating with all of you the small signs each day that Vernon is healing. My fortune cookie said at lunch today – “The sky’s the limit this month” – I grinned, that’s for my pal Vernon, on his journey back to us. Thanks for reading my post, from one friend to another.
Thankful and Hopeful,
Jen
“He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth…” Daniel 6:7
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We are praying for Vernon everyday and every night. Allison dear needs to get some rest of she can at all.
Continue to pray for Vernon.
Becky
Hi Becky, I know your prayers are much appreciated! My updating the blog was giving her a little break tonight. But yes, Allison, listen to your friends and get some good rest this weekend. 🙂
Thank you Jen for a great update. So glad to read that Vernon is responding to Your questions. He is Lucky to have you cheerful People in his hospital room, thats so good!
Today we have been getting firewood and we had rice porridge for lunch – Makis favourite, served on saturdays (and Christmas eve) in Norway… and now we keep that tradition going here.
Thank you so much Jen for arranging the party on the Beach. Maki really enjoyed it and so did everyone else! Big hug from us X
Hi Synnove, good to hear from you! I have to try some of this Norwegian porridge, I’m guessing it is better than the oatmeal we serve here to the 60+ crowd. 😉 I’m so very glad we could all get together at the beach on a short notice to say our farewells to ‘The Maki’. I talked to Vernon today about our time around the bonfire. Let Maki know that we played a short video of Justine for his Dad today, and he really seemed to like it. Perhaps he could e-mail Allison a short audio or video message so she can share it with him on her visits. He really seems to respond to those things that are most familiar. Anyhow, hope we can arrange that somehow if you are game Maki. Hugs back to you guys. 🙂
Good to hear this update. These signs and wonders are encouraging. We continue to hold you all in our prayers!
Wow Jen … Well said and I’m so happy you got your time with Vernon and his family! You are a blessing to his recovery! That’s a fact
Thanks for the sweet note Demi. <3 It's the little things, right? 🙂
Hi Jen, Thank you for the wonderful post about Vernon and Allison. I have known the Moore family for many years and love them all! I have never met Vernon in person only through posts Allison has made over the years. Thank youncor letting me get to know him a little i. Your post. They are both special and I hope one day to meet him. So many of us old friends are praying for the whole family. 🙂
Nice to meet you Bonnie and thank you for praying for our sweet friends. I love the Moore’s also — although my many years of knowing them is only about 10. 🙂 And Vernon, well he is a very cool guy indeed!
thankyou soooooooooooo much Jen for you update , i only met you twice while visiting my brother and his family last August, you were just setting up the office and i made a few trips with vern looking at office furniture ..in what i would call antique shops or recycling/reclaim shops.. vern taking a few pictures for you to see what he had found. I could see you were going to have so much fun at “work” together, and when my parents visited at Easter time they told me how the office had changed. You both have amazing sense of humour and when i think of my brother i think of that sparkle in his eye when he sees something funny ,that many others have not seen…..
i`m sure he will enjoy you reading to him some more and telling him all about what is going on, and remind him of your fun times at the office xx thankyou again Jen for your update ..very uplifting for me being so far away xx hugs xx
ps thankyou Allison i have just seen my “bits” on the wall, so vern can see them when he is fully awake xx hugs to you too xx
You are very welcome Vanessa! We sure have had fun up in that office, spying on the funny things that folks passing by say and do here in San Clemente. Chris had been hanging out with us too — which really added to the fun. I think we managed to get some work done. 😉 We may not know each other that well Vanessa, but I want you to know when I visit Vernon, I am there as his sister and feel somehow connected to you in that. I hope that makes sense. Be encouraged, he’s got the fight in him. 🙂 Hugs back to you!
thankyou jen ..millions of hugs to you ..if you could be his “sister” until it is the “right” time for me to be with him xx
Hey, Jen, thanks for the update today. That’s great news about Vernon responding so much. Paul and I are praying, as you surely know.
Thank you, Jen, for the great update. Your friendship means a lot to everyone who can’t be there to help Vernon feel better, and especially to the Adams family who are going through such a difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone there.
How beautiful to read your post and hear how much progress Vernon is making and how utterly wonderful and amazing Allie is.
Allison we are praying for Vernon just look after yourself and Justine thinking of all of you always God is good all our love Bernice and Doug xxxxxxx
If anyone would get a chuckle out of Vernon, Jen, it would be you. Our ideas of progress are so limited. My doctors used to say, “It’s like watching an apple grow.” God’s awesome slowness takes us back, yet it’s in these times where pure gold is made. You mean a lot to this family … stay close.
Jen,
I have known the Moores for 71 years. Betty Moore and my Dad were 1st cousins. They came to TN when Hyatt 3 was around 3 or 4 years old. We lived in CA for 20 years and loved them the whole time we were there and they came to see us here in TN. The SR Moores.
So hold them up for a lot of us who can’t be there but are praying for Vernon and Allison and the family.
Hugs,
Becky