Dad's Response to the party

I'm so sorry that I haven't had a chance to update the blog for so long! We are working on getting the gift baskets up but what I really wanted to show everybody my Mom's reponse to the party. She also explains how Dad felt about the whole thing. This is from an email that Mom sent to some of our relatives that live in California. So, here is the email from Mom:

THE PARTY WAS WONDERFUL!!! I had to tell John the day before that the kids had put together a little something for him and all I knew was that I was supposed to have him “there” by 7:00 – I wouldn’t tell him where “there” was.

When we got to the school and John saw that the parking lot was almost full he was shocked and said that was probably because they were keeping the building open for the teachers because it was almost the end of the school year; he didn’t think for even a minute that it was for him. When we got to the door the principal greeted us and took us right to the gym and as we walked in to the FULL room, everyone was clapping and John was totally shocked. He didn’t even know what to say – that’s a first. Steph stopped everything right then and there and had us go change into our Tee Shirts that our immediate family was wearing. They were white tee shirts with a picture of “Mr. Bean” with a big red nose on it. I’ll send pictures. We all had the tee shirts on from 4 month old Jack to 60 year old John. IT WAS GREAT!!!

There was such a great turn out and they had the school choir there and they sang 3 songs, ending with the song from the Sound of Music where the kids do the “goodbye, farewell, etc. It was really sweet and tender. I’m not sure John was even aware of that part other than that the choir was singing. He was taking it all in and Katie came and sat on his lap. He was amazed that so many people cared enough to come.

The rest of the time John and I spent talking to everyone. There were teachers that he worked with years ago and some are still teaching and some are retired. The kids contacted all of the schools John taught at and the neighborhoods we lived in. It was even announced in Sacrament Meeting at the Ward we went to church when we lived in our house in West Jordan – and they NEVER announce things like that over the pulpit, they don’t even announce gatherings for missionary farewells or homecomings – they usually announce those things in Priesthood Meeting or Relief Society. There were quite a few people from that neighborhood there. There were students from this year and from prior years. There was even a student from 1992 who came and brought his 3 children. John didn’t recognize him but he was so thrilled that he came. My sister came from the top of Idaho just for this; however, I’m sure the fact that her granddaughters live in SLC didn’t play even a small part in her decision. Susie and Vern came and it was so good to see them. We haven’t seen them for a really long time.

The kids did a wonderful job putting this together. It was a good time for them to work together and build their relationships. For the fundraising part, each of the “teams” at the school (K, 1st grade, 2nd grade, etc) donated a beautiful gift basket and one of them had a sports theme and the football in it was signed by Steve Young. The kids couldn’t do the silent auction but they tell me they are going to put them up on E-Bay then put the money in John’s Transplant fund, which is where the checks that you lovely women sent.

Thank you so much for both the checks and even more for your love, concern and for being such important people in John’s life. You have no idea of the love and respect he has for each of you. Please know that he would tell you himself, however he has a difficult time putting the words together and he can’t bring himself to let others see what he perceives as less than what he is.

After all is said and done, John absolutely loved the event. He was surprised and honored. He is so grateful to our kids for doing this for him and for everyone that participated. It was hard for people, even our kids, to know how John felt about the whole thing because of his nature and also because of his illness. He had a tough week and we had to increase his meds for confusion on Tuesday and Jill came over to be with him that day. By the night of the party his was much better but his brain was and always is confused.

It was a wonderful event and we loved every bit of it. Once again, thank you for being part of our life. I will send a copy of the DVD that the kids put together, we loved seeing Bob and Jeannette in it, but there was a problem with the sound so we couldn’t pick up most of what you said. If you still have the one you sent, maybe you can send it to us and maybe it will work right if we get it first hand. Stephanie just completed a scrapbook and I can’t wait to see it. I will send pictures when my darling children let me see them.

I’ll send another e-mail this weekend updating you on John’s condition and all that is going on with that.

Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love,

Barbara