Friday, May 23, 2008

Remembering Joey....

Tonight we received a bad news ...
a very sad news ...
our friend Joey died in his sleep...
and I am sad ...
very sad...

Yes, Joey is a Christian...
yes, Joey is now in heaven...
yes, someday we will see him again...

But tonight,
tonight we are grieving ...
We are grieving the loss of a friend ...
A wonderful friend ...

My heart goes out to Joey's family,
especially his mom...
Oh... I cannot imagine,
No one can fathom ...
the sorrow she is feeling right now....

Yes, Joey is in heaven,
but tonight,
we grieve...
we grieve the loss
of someone we love...


Joey was just a high school kid when we first met him. His family moved in to the house next to our little cottage. I still can remember his smile when I first met him. He was such a sweet teenager. His family is very close to us. Oh... it breaks my heart to think that he is gone.... He is the only son of our good friends Karen and Joe. He has two sisters, Jamie and Joanne, who he's really close with. The whole family is grieving .. and I ask that you say a prayer for them ...

Joey died in his sleep. He had a seizure (from a condition he has since childhood). Tonight was the bachelor party of one of our friends getting married.. and when he didn't show up ... they decided to go to his apartment to check on him. That's when they found out he passed away.

The hard part is that he's in LA and his family are here on Maui. Oh... my heart aches. I cannot believe he's gone. My heart aches for Karen (his mom) most of all.... There are no words to describe the sorrow she's feeling right now... They will fly to LA first thing tomorrow - that's the soonest they could book a flight.

Joey was here on Maui last week, for Mothers Day and for his sister's graduation. I saw him at church and gave him a hug. I am glad I did. Who would have known that that would be our last hug?

A couple months ago we were e-mailing each other about some work related stuff. In the midst of the e-mail correspondence I told him that I am assuming he is doing well but to let me know if there is something I can pray for him. He e-mailed back saying that yes he's doing well but he can always use some prayers. He asked that I pray for God's direction in his life. He said he doesn't know yet.

As I sit here thinking about Joey, I am pondering that maybe, just maybe, the reason why God hasn't revealed His plan to Joey's life at that time is because God knows his time on earth will be short...

But Joey ... Joey lived his life to its fullest. He loves to worship God through songs. He traveled to see the world. He has a lot of friends. He is loved by many.... He is just 20 something years old but he's mature beyond his age...

Joey was my encourager on blogging when I was just starting to blog. I remember during one of his Maui visits, he and my husband were talking about his blog and my husband told him that I am blogging too. He said "I know. Your wife's blog is good". At that time, my husband was so unsure about my blogging. But Joey's words gave him an assurance that I am doing something good.

Joey is like a little brother to me. His parents are practically "the savior of our marriage". Karen is our marriage counselor and her guidance and love made my husband and I stuck with each other during rough times in our marriage. My husband and I are doing well now, and a lot of that is because of Karen and Joe's guidance. I wish I can do something to ease the pain they are feeling because of Joey's death.

Death. These five letter word is so hard to type. ...

***

Joey.. Joey did not quit life. He just passed from temporary life on earth, to an eternal one in heaven.

***

Please pray also for Joey's girlfriend Rachel ... oh, I cannot imagine what she's feeling right now...

***

BELOW IS A YOUTUBE VIDEO for Joe and Karen. Karen, I know you read my blog, please watch this video whenever you can. I find comfort in the fact that God knows exactly what you are feeling right now.... love you Karen and Joe.



ALSO SEE the video of the song HOMESICK by MERCY ME here.

HOPE CHAPEL created a blog for the JOHNSONS here.

16 comments:

linda may said...

G'Day Liza, sorry to hear you are grieving for a special friend and their family. My sympathies. I found you via Sunday Scribblings.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry Liza! My prayers are with you and the family. God bless!

Granny Smith said...

My sympathy goes out to all those close to Joey. Your blog post is the kindest thing that you can do for them and yourself. At least there is a community of grief with no one grieving alone. It still hurts just as much, I know.

Bad news, sad news.
Love, Phyllis

Robin said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to Joey's family and all who loved him.

Rena said...

So sorry for the loss of your friend. It is such a shock when someone young passes away. Beautiful post.

Peggy said...

Ohh Liza...my heart is aching and I feel your pain and the pain of this dear Joey's family! How sad!

I'm so glad that you had your hug and his mom Karen her mother's day visit...it will mean alot for her grieving to have your support now. How wonderful attititude you showed though I teared almost your entire blog even with the assurance of Jesus in Joey's life!

My deepest condolences...I'm sorry your friend is no longer here...your last line of his temporary life on earth to an eternal one...gave me a HOPE!

Stay strong for his mom and be a blessing! Thank you for dropping by my blog to encourage me..cuz
I'm new this past April but I'm sure mine didn't help your grief.
Sorry:( Let your love for Joey live on in your good memories!
Take time to grieve! I'm glad his mom was able o see you and hubby through tough times! Hang in there!

GreenishLady said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, and for all who grieve Joey. I'll be sending out a prayer for comfort and healing. You are being such a good friend to that family in your caring and in your words here. Blessings to you.

Melanie said...

Liaz, I am so sorry to read of the loss of your friend Joey. I will be praying for you and Joey's family during this time.

Kimberly said...

I am so sorry about the loss of this dear friend. I will be praying for everyone who is missing him so very much!

This was a beautiful way to remember him and to let others know how they can pray.

Blessings,
Kimberly

Patois42 said...

I'm so very sorry, Liza -- for you, for his family, for his friends. I hope you are all able to provide comfort to each other.

World's Greatest Mommy said...

This was a beautiful tribute, to an obviously wonderful person.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

you are so very compassionate, liza --- your friends and most especially joey's family, are extremely fortunate to have you share in their grief, and do such a loving and special tribute to him on your page --- i can feel their shock and sorrow over the loss of a young son, and i will certainly put all of you on my prayer list ---

Anonymous said...

My condolences, Liza. I hope and pray that God will comfort all of you who love Joey so much.

BlondeMomBlog (Jamie) said...

I'm so sorry Liza. I pray that his family and friends will be comforted during this time. Joey sounds like an amazing young man who blessed all with his presence!

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to read this. :(

Anonymous said...

So sorry to you and Joey's loved ones ... please stay strong xoxo