James's best friend from high school, Robert, has been the source of laughter carrying me through this insane, surreal time. He was my mother's traveling companion to NYC and they have left for the airport to return to sunny California before the snow hits the city early tomorrow morning. Robert is a bit of a sprite and enjoys pushing people past their normal social boundaries. He decided that James needed to hear his parents so he called up Mary and Peter, placing his smartphone up to James's ear. Mary told her first son how much she loved him and then, Peter walked in the door with groceries. It was a surprise call. Pete also shared his love with James--that voice went right in.
James joked that there was a part in the Beatles song "Hey Bulldog" in which it sounded like his father was in the background yelling "JIM!" as he did when he was a child growing up in their two story house in San Jose. Listen to the song and see if you can find it (I will give you a hint, its near the lyric Big Man).
James was quiet today with a fever. His immune system is working hard. The neurological team came around and although James was not as responsive as yesterday, they do want him to take his time in recovering and do not consider today a set-back. The doctors often flash a light in his eyes to see how his pupils react. Since he is now responsive, the doctors apologize when they flash the light because they are able to confirm that James is actually seeing them. The doctor that checked his eyes today was given a slight start since it was apparent that James was looking at him when he lifted his eyelid to shine the light and he was not expecting that reaction. The other doctor leading the assessment explained to the others in the team that James prefers to keep his eyes closed. I imagine he's like Herman Melville's Bartleby, he prefers not to!
If James is able to improve in the next few days, the doctors will remove the breathing tube. Please, everyone (especially those that believe in a higher power), give a prayer to heal James enough to make this goal in his recovery. Those non-believers or others sitting on the fence out there--do a little jig--that will work too. James and I love the way in which Iggy Pop dances, something like a new born fawn kicking out the jams.
I would like to thank everyone that has signed on to the Meal Train site to provide delicious sounding dinners for Imogen and me for the upcoming weeks. We are ever so grateful. More love out to everyone that has expressed their support on the GoFundMe site and provided a donation. All this support is simply a tangible form of the love and respect everyone has for James. Muchas Gracias! Merci Beaucoup! Domo Arigato! Vielen Dank! Grazie Mille! Dziękuję Bardzo!
I walked with Imogen today to her school, PS34 Oliver H. Perry Elementary School. It's a New York historical landmark--a beautiful brick building that houses many adorable, joyous children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The principal, Carmen Asselta, was outside greeting families and children to start the day. Our eyes met and we hugged one another. Carmen has been inspired by the idea of creation as a means of responding to James's health crisis. She would like to organize a project with the children to make an artwork that expresses their true spirit and love inside their hearts for life and their community! Bravo!
James poured a good deal of himself into PS34. He was concerned that the arts were taking too large of a hit in our public school system through budget cuts and the lack of understanding of the fundamental nature of art, music, performance and dance as an integral part of a child's education that should not be lost. James and I knew that a strong, involved parent body could make up for the budget gap in public schools. We dedicated ourselves to strengthening the PTA as a means of insuring that the children received not only a proper arts education but also, a strong curriculum in science, math, and language for years to come. James did not do this for recognition or self-satisfaction. It was all for the children, not just our child, but the future students that will attend PS34 and not even realize that there was ever a lack in any of their programs. In other words, James's work would be invisible--it was foundational--he would leave no fingerprints with the exception of his spirit, in the artwork, dance, music and voices of the children. That was his hope and art practice for the past five years.
Become more involved in your public communities. Get political. That would make James cheer!
Love out to all of you on this day before a snow storm! James's nurse joked that she was going to bring her PJs and pillow with her to work tomorrow in case she's snowed in at the hospital! I like that image of the nurses walking the wards in PJs and drinking mugs of hot chocolate. They are a wonderful group here and I will never be able to thank them enough for their dedicated care.
James joked that there was a part in the Beatles song "Hey Bulldog" in which it sounded like his father was in the background yelling "JIM!" as he did when he was a child growing up in their two story house in San Jose. Listen to the song and see if you can find it (I will give you a hint, its near the lyric Big Man).
James was quiet today with a fever. His immune system is working hard. The neurological team came around and although James was not as responsive as yesterday, they do want him to take his time in recovering and do not consider today a set-back. The doctors often flash a light in his eyes to see how his pupils react. Since he is now responsive, the doctors apologize when they flash the light because they are able to confirm that James is actually seeing them. The doctor that checked his eyes today was given a slight start since it was apparent that James was looking at him when he lifted his eyelid to shine the light and he was not expecting that reaction. The other doctor leading the assessment explained to the others in the team that James prefers to keep his eyes closed. I imagine he's like Herman Melville's Bartleby, he prefers not to!
If James is able to improve in the next few days, the doctors will remove the breathing tube. Please, everyone (especially those that believe in a higher power), give a prayer to heal James enough to make this goal in his recovery. Those non-believers or others sitting on the fence out there--do a little jig--that will work too. James and I love the way in which Iggy Pop dances, something like a new born fawn kicking out the jams.
I would like to thank everyone that has signed on to the Meal Train site to provide delicious sounding dinners for Imogen and me for the upcoming weeks. We are ever so grateful. More love out to everyone that has expressed their support on the GoFundMe site and provided a donation. All this support is simply a tangible form of the love and respect everyone has for James. Muchas Gracias! Merci Beaucoup! Domo Arigato! Vielen Dank! Grazie Mille! Dziękuję Bardzo!
I walked with Imogen today to her school, PS34 Oliver H. Perry Elementary School. It's a New York historical landmark--a beautiful brick building that houses many adorable, joyous children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The principal, Carmen Asselta, was outside greeting families and children to start the day. Our eyes met and we hugged one another. Carmen has been inspired by the idea of creation as a means of responding to James's health crisis. She would like to organize a project with the children to make an artwork that expresses their true spirit and love inside their hearts for life and their community! Bravo!
James poured a good deal of himself into PS34. He was concerned that the arts were taking too large of a hit in our public school system through budget cuts and the lack of understanding of the fundamental nature of art, music, performance and dance as an integral part of a child's education that should not be lost. James and I knew that a strong, involved parent body could make up for the budget gap in public schools. We dedicated ourselves to strengthening the PTA as a means of insuring that the children received not only a proper arts education but also, a strong curriculum in science, math, and language for years to come. James did not do this for recognition or self-satisfaction. It was all for the children, not just our child, but the future students that will attend PS34 and not even realize that there was ever a lack in any of their programs. In other words, James's work would be invisible--it was foundational--he would leave no fingerprints with the exception of his spirit, in the artwork, dance, music and voices of the children. That was his hope and art practice for the past five years.
Become more involved in your public communities. Get political. That would make James cheer!
Love out to all of you on this day before a snow storm! James's nurse joked that she was going to bring her PJs and pillow with her to work tomorrow in case she's snowed in at the hospital! I like that image of the nurses walking the wards in PJs and drinking mugs of hot chocolate. They are a wonderful group here and I will never be able to thank them enough for their dedicated care.
many prayers and dancing a jig. love and light.
ReplyDeleteCarmen asked me to come up with an idea to support the creative outpouring in James’ honor. I thought each child’s work should be small to allow everyone to be represented. I spoke to Cynthia Hahn about it and she said the work MUST be small to echo the size of James’ work. Each child is creating a small watercolor related to Spring- a new season, a time of renewal and rebirth. They will be displayed together as a tribute to James’ work with the Art program and with the entire school community. One Kindergarten class has already completed their projects. I’ll send photos soon. Always sending love and prayers to James and you. With love and gratitude, Lisa
ReplyDeleteOh dear. This outpouring of love on the part of the food givers, art makers and money donors has brought tears to my eyes. May James continue to be an inspiration to us all, and may we all carry him through his recovery with our love.
ReplyDeleteBreathing tube be gone!
ReplyDeleteImagining every snow flake that falls today is a healing prayer for James. xo from Heidi, Conor, Brendan, and Emmet
ReplyDeleteI think about all the ways James participates in his community, and how much love he brings to it all, and it inspires me. I am keeping it in my mind that he will improve enough in the next few days to lose the breathing tube!!
ReplyDelete