Thanks to everyone who sent me a congratulatory note after my last post about my name change. If I’d known it would be so celebrated, I would have made the decision earlier…haha!
Since that seemed to add a odd little dash of romance to the air, I’ll continue in that spirit here tonight.
As I played music off my phone for Vernon in the courtyard the other day (and again today), I remembered one song that he had sent me when we first met each other (which would have been ten years ago this summer.) Of course I was falling in love with him so the song meant a lot to me, especially since he said it captured what he was feeling for me. I listened to it all the time, and I always imagined him thinking of me.
Anyway, I played the song for him, hoping he would remember it too. He may not have remembered it in the same way, but I could tell he was getting pulled into the song, and he kept mentioning how beautiful it was. I agree, even after all these years. Have a listen here.
It’s bittersweet how some songs stay in our souls throughout our lives. I’m thankful we have a few special ones between us.
Now…on the subject of songs: Vernon has been caught singing along when there is some musical group activity lately. Apparently it was at the Jehovah’s Witness weekly-gathering this morning, that he joined in song. Joe sat and played cards at the table, annoyed that he had to sit in the multi-purpose room through the meeting (which he doesn’t agree with) but he’d promised to stay near Vernon. Later on, he told him. “You have to get better, Vernon. You owe me! I had to sit through that meeting for you today.”
After I sprung their escape by showing up (too late, apparently) and rolling him outside, Vernon said: “I like singing.”
“Really? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you sing as long as I’ve known you. At least before you came here.”
“I didn’t used to like singing, but now I do. I really like it a lot.”
Perhaps he is finding ways to heal himself from the inside out.
One more story on the subject of singing. Do you remember sweet Anita, the 95 year old woman who gave Justine a rose on her birthday? She is often parked on the patio, near the roses. I assumed she liked to look at them and smell them. Turns out, she is singing to them everyday.
When I asked her why she does this, she said, “I don’t remember a lot of things, but one thing I did read once that stayed with me is this quote: “Singing to the flowers brings out their beauty.”
“The only thing better than singing is more singing.” —Ella Fitzgerald
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Beautiful song Allison ..just found the lyrics ..just so perfect , never realized my brother was such a romantic, but we did talk about you a lot when he was at home with my parents and you in California..i remember the first time we said hello on the computer ..gosh is it 10 years ago???..and also when he told me he was getting married..i can still see his smile ..we were sat outside in my parents garden….
let him sing … (nope never heard my brother sing either..infact mum and i were saying that the other day..)let the healing continue …
xx love to you all xx
“If I cannot fly, let me sing.”
― Stephen Sondheim
“He who sings scares away his woes.”
― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
Allison, (Mrs. Adams, I LOVE your new name and can see your artwork signature as AA) I think it’s lovely that Vernon has discovered singing as a nice thing to do. We are doing the “Hit Parade” at the San Diego Follies in August and so much of the dialogue between songs is just how much each of these songs affected the various generations who grew up on them. For instance we are doing a Beach Boys medley which instantly takes me back to wonderful high school memories at the beach in FL. I’ve heard it said that there are certain songs which seem to have “healing” powers. One of them is “Ode to Joy.” Let’s investigate that for Vernon.
My husband is an excellent musician. His specialty is The Beatles. I often call him the Human Jute Box (is that what you call the device you put money into and it plays any number of tunes?) Anyway, he has often used his gifts of music to encourage and inspire others. Bringing Across the Universe into life in many hospital rooms. If you would like a visit for your hubby, just say the word. Through face book (I am a friend of the Ketchems) I found something you wrote, and it brought such comfort to me during a hard day caring for my Mom.
We live in Whittier. I don’t know where you are, some place down south I reckon. As of next Wednesday, my hubby, Chris aka Mr. Bear is retired and looking for something fun to do. 🙂
God bless you Alison~
p.s.Waterloo sunset is one of my hubbys standards.
That would be amazing! My email is wunderali@gmail.com if you want to contact me. Vernon is free Wednesday afternoons and also Friday all day…otherwise, it would have to be a morning, as he goes to Dialysis at 1:30 most weekdays and Saturdays. He is in a care home in Costa Mesa (just below Newport)
Congrats on the name change! It was lovely to read the encouraging family comments! Singing to the roses…both beautiful and heart wrenching. Todays post reveals how much we so need purpose in our lives. I think you may have mentioned it awhile back, but if you have not watched the movie “Alive Inside” I would encourage you to check it out, and include Justine and Maki. I think it will inspire you to encourage Vernon with his newfound interest in singing. Singing hooks into a different part of the brain than our regular speech. It just might be an area where he can experience some “freedom.”
Is it my imagination? Doesn’t Vernon look like he’s “with it” more than any other pix you have posted? Praying for you OFTEN, and rejoice that the Lord is still on the Throne and will not forget us….thank you, Mrs. Adams, for your wonderful creativity that connects us with you and Vernon…..and with the great privilege of intercession.
He isn’t always, but yes, I do think he is starting to be slightly more with it when I visit him lately. Maybe all the prayers are kicking in!
Allison Adams, Such a nice name. I like it and I bet Vernon does too. Have you heard from Maki in New Zealand? I have a couple of friends in Australia and they talk about winter when we are having these hot days here. But we must have the hot days in order to have the beautiful leaves in the fall. I love the lady who gave Justine the rose. Do all the people have someone to visit like you do Vernon? I know a lady I used to work with at Hospice she volunteer 1 day a week and had done so for years. They had lived all over the country and she went in and ask was there any people who did not have visitors and there is always someone or more that need her. She would go on the same day every week to see them. Now she is in FL with her children because they are getting older and feel like they may need to be close to their children soon. I believe that she is already with a nursing home down there and visiting every week. You run across these people from time to time. Take care Mrs. Adams.
Becky