Planning a funeral is probably not easy under the best of circumstances, but this is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. It’s not hard because the decisions are difficult, it’s hard because they are decisions a parent should never have to make. I cannot express enough thanks to our family for stepping up, and sometimes stepping in, to make sure that we are able to get through this. Every time there is a question that comes up it seems as though my Uncle George has already anticipated it and provided an appropriate answer or resource to use if needed. My cousin’s wife, Rene, has also acted as a personal assistant to Julie and me, making sure that we are where we need to be when we need to be there, and gently making sure that we are covering everything. I honestly don’t know how we would manage this without them, or the rest of our family and friends who are helping with all of those other things that would have distracted us from what we really need to do.
Planning
I know that if I had been a more practical person I may have made arrangements in advance, but I just could never bring myself to do it. I just couldn’t plan a funeral while Johnny was still fighting so hard. To be honest, I’m not sure that even if everything had been in place long before now these last two days would have been any easier.
At this point I think almost everything is ready for tomorrow and Saturday. I hope I am, and I hope that if Johnny is watching he likes what he sees.
Mike
PS. Since we started this blog we have had hundreds, maybe thousands, of messages and comments from people all over the world who care about Johnny. We read, and save, every comment, but unfortunately unless a name is entered in the message or the message is signed we do not always know who has sent it. It is also impossible to (or at least we don’t know how to) reply to those comments to the blog. If anyone wants to contact us directly, and would like a reply, you can email us at Triplejms@comcast.net. I would ask that this address only be used by those who would like us to return the message. Otherwise a comment to the blog would be best.
Rest assured Johnny will love what he sees!
Connie Lawrence
As a father and fellow skater my heart goes out to you and your family. I’ve been watching Johnny’s story for a long time. I will honor the little man with a ‘Last Skate” at our local skatepark on Saturday. I’ll be the last to leave….in his honor.
mike and julie joey and sophie,
Our prayers are with you today…..and I don’t even know you guys but I can only imagine what is in store for celebrating Johnnys life….patricia and my mom carol work together! When I opened nic’s toy from subway yesterday it was a skateboard with a little skate person! I just smiled and thought that was really cool!
I hope that your family continues the blog it has become a part of so many people’s lives! Hopefully someday we can meet you guys…..sophie and my son nic are the same age..
Laurie and nicholas Lavender
Southlake, Tx
My heart goes out to your family. I don’t know any of you guys either, but I am truly touched by your story. I first began reading this blog when I got an email from LLS TNT asking us to please go donate blood or platelets. I’ve been reading ever since. I will continue to pray for you all and I will continue to raise funds so that one day there will be a cure!!
God Bless,
Krystal
I, too, have not met you but heard of your story through the same TNT email mentioned above. I’ve been following your story and am continually amazed by the strength and bravery exhibited by your ENTIRE family as well as your continued faith throughout this long and difficult journey. Please know that so many people are touched by your story and have prayed — and will continue to pray — for you and your loved ones. I, too, will continue to support TNT and raise funds so that one day we will have a cure!!
Laura
Mike, Julie, Joey and Sophie-
You are an amazing family and have dealt with more hardship (no word is strong enough) than anyone should have to endure. As a parent of two young sons myself (as well as a surfer and a skater who likes to believe I share the stoke for life that Johnny displayed), I feel so much sadness for all of you and hope that your suffering is short-lived.
We at The Blood Center are completely grief-stricken, but will continue to do what we do so that others may have a chance to fight for their lives as well. I only hope that there is some solace in knowing that the message that you all and Johnny help to spread is helping others in need.
My most sincere apologies,
Stephen Ruth
What can anyone say at a time like this. Johnny has touched so many lives in the skateboarding and the surfing world. I’m sure I can speak for them all in saying that as we bow our heads in prayer tonight a very special prayer will be sent for Johnny and his family.
God Bless. RIP Johnny. We all came to LOVE you
Khiro Bob
What can be said at this time – our hearts ache for your family and prayers will continue coming your way. What you’ve done by spreading the word and raising awareness is nothing short of awesome. You’re an incredible strength. I can’t even imagine how hard it has been for all of you, yet you continue to let us all “in” by sharing your experiences with us and we all thank you. Johnny will live on in the hearts of so many. Our kids continue to pray for Johnny’s continued peace and happiness. The boys say he’s teaching Jesus how to skateboard and to surf and is probably having a blast. I like to think that too
Your family will be remembered in our prayer intentions at our church services this weekend.
We love you all!
Angie Peirce
Ive never met you guys ethier but Johnny Story has touched me and everyday i go out and skate i never take for granted and these past few days i been going bigger and harder and i looked down and my board says”shred for Jonhnny” and thts what i will continue doing.
Stay Strong .
And SIP(skate in peace) Johnny.
-Corey Populus (SACRAMENTO ,CA)
Romano Family,
Although we have never met personally I just wanted to say that I am very sorry for your loss. As a single mother of one son, I can not bring myself to think about the fact of him leaving this earthly world before myself. I recognize there are no words to ease your pain, but please put your trust your faith in God at this moment. The important thing is for you to stay strong as a family on lean on each other during those difficult times. Please know that your little Johnny is finally at peace again…there are no more needles, no more pain your baby is finally free. He will always be young and beautiful.
Im deeply sorry for your loss. I did not know you personally, but your story touched me, atleast as a father if a 6 year old little girl. As a skateboarder, and father, my thoughts are with you.
Cody Crud – Dallas
I am so sorry for the loss of Johnny. I can’t even begin to imagine the depth of your loss. You and yours remain in my continued prayers and thoughts.
Gina
I am speechless and sending ALL of my love and prayers to you guys. There is nothing anyone can say or do to ease this pain, but I love you and I will always be praying for you.
Love always,
Amy
Prayer for Johnny
He Only Takes The Best
God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not meant to be.
So He put his arms around you and whispered, come with me.
With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away.
Although we couldn’t bear to lose you we could not ask you to stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands laid to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
Mike and Julie:
God has blessed you both with each other, a wonderful family, three beautiful children, a huge circle of caring freinds and the wisdom & courage to make it thru this for your son. You are truly an inspiration to all of us. Written with my deepest sympathy and utter respect. May God lead you thru the rest of your journey together. Kim Zapalac
My name is Christian Nichols and I’m 14 years young.
I heard about Johnny’s story last year but really looked into it a month ago. I messaged him through the hospital message service at school. My father and I both own a christian skate shop and both mourn his death
And I just found that today he passed away. I pray to God he rips in heaven with some of the best pros in skate history.
I will pray for strenght in the family. In the darkest of times God is there for you.
any questions? message me at sk8erkidforchrist@sbcglobal.net
God Bless all of you.
Dear Johnny,
As you sit in Heaven, smiling down on your family and friends, just know that you’ve made us all better people by showing us your strength and determination. Not a day has passed that I haven’t thought about you and how you are finally at peace. And a quick little story…
I have been searching long and hard for your latest REAL skateboard, but it was so awesome, everyone has been sold out. So I stopped by my local shop just to check one more time and what do ya know…they got a shipment from Deluxe on Wednesday and your board was in there!!! Needless to say i bought it as quickly as I could and took it right home where it hangs on my wall above my TV to always remind me of you and your love for skating. I will keep it forever. Thanks J-Grom, may your skate sessions in Heaven be epic and full of stoke!
Your brother in Skating,
Nick
hey everybody!!!!hows it going? hope you feel better,so when are you comeing back from california? well when you do i think kristi has been wanting to play with sophie,well when you get back tell joey and sophie there welcome to come over to play with us at our house.well,feel better have a fun time in california.
god bless you all
caroline ferguson
Good post. I am a CPA and financial planner that helps families needing to save money on funeral costs. You can find some good, objective information about funeral and cremation planning, funeral costs, and ways to reduce funeral costs here: http://www.funeral-tips.com
we all love Johnny very much.
he’s missed <3
i love you.