To Vernon With Love…

My Mother Babsie & my late brother Vernon

Today my dear brother Vernon Marques Mouton has passed on 8 years, he leaves behind a son who is the picture of him in everything that he does and participate in. This time of the year I know my Mom is a bundle of emotions, so is my sister and my baby brother but in the busy-ness of all our lives I felt the need today to acknowledge my brother Vernon. He had this passion for singing, he even entered in Idols SA one year and went as far as the auditions, at that time I thought WOW he has courage but also such immense belief in his ability to sing and compete among so many.

VernonI miss you and I miss the fact that I couldn't say goodbye properly but I WANT TO TELL YOU TODAY, that your son is your gift to us. Every moment I get to spend with him is like you are with me there, Ashton and I we have this thing where he can speak to me in whichever way he wants but remain his respect for me, Ashton has become a part of our family and my girls love him as their brother. Ashton is doing well at school as well as sports, he loves running, sprinting for that matter like you, he loves rugby and he loves girls too. Ask him if he has a girlfriend, he would be so scared to admit it to me, I warned him by me he is only allowed to have a girlfriend when he is like 21, fat chance of that happening but I am hopeful. Vernon, he looks like you, he walks like you, he has everything of you and though you are not here with us, I so mindful of your son and the gift you left behind for us, to keep you alive in him, and what is so amazing is that he so naturally is the picture of you and that is a God-sent.

You introduced me to Kirk Franklin and Kirk Franklin through his songs has ministered to me in so many ways. I want my life to be a significant one like you wanted yours to be. I know, I didn't have a chance to say goodbye and 8 years later I am still a bit rattled by your sudden departure, one day we’ll have all our unanswered questions answered, God will give us that, until such time, here is my deep heartfelt apology. I love you and you were definitely gone too soon. I live with the hope that I can be there for your son and always remind him of his dad and the go-getter he was, never standing down from a challenge but always giving his best. I love you, rest in peace my dear brother Vernon.

“Live each day like its your last and do good to all no matter what they do to you, find moments daily to let your loved ones know how much they mean to you, moments are lost so quickly and regret will haunt you for the rest of your life, make every moment count. Let go of bitterness and be the best you, you can be. Ask for forgiveness, forgive quickly and love like there is no tomorrow, forgive those who hurt you and allow God to do what HE ALONE CAN DO...!”