Dear John

 Dear John,
     I can't believe it's been 11 years...11 years since I last heard your voice, caught your contagious laughter, or have been able to hug you. I'll never forget that day because that was the day that my life changed forever. For the first 20 years of my life I was alive but not necessarily "living" because I didn't realize how fragile life truly was until Saturday August 28, 2004.
     I remember driving home the night before & thinking how perfectly full the moon was. I remember thinking how beautifully it lit up the late-night sky & how it shined down so brightly on the world beneath it; little did I know how much that world would change in the matter of hours. Losing you was, without-a-doubt, harder than I could have ever, ever imagined. I thought I had my heart broken before, but no...saying goodbye to you, big brother, was a heartbreak I never knew existed.
     I try not to haunt myself with thoughts of that morning but, inevitably, they always seem to creep back into my head. I wonder if you were you scared or if you knew what was happening. I wonder what your last words might have been - knowing you I'm sure they were words Mom wouldn't approve of. :) I know you were probably more concerned with getting Leslie out of the house than you were with yourself; you loved her so much, as she loved you. I will never forget your last Christmas when you surprised her with her beautiful bracelet & made her cry. You made her feel so special & so loved...I'm so happy you found true love while on this Earth. That Christmas is hands-down my favorite holiday memory even though it would be the last one we would all spend together. When I look back at that version of "me" in the pictures I can't help but miss being that naive 19-year-old in the navy blue dance sweatshirt. Everything about me changed when I lost you & almost 11 years later I'm still trying to pick up the pieces & find my way in this crazy life. It seems like every time I was about to pull things together, something else would wreck our world...like losing Jay only 2 years after you. We have amazing parents, don't we? There's not a lot of things I truly "know" in this life, but 1 thing I do know is that no parent should EVER have to bury their child & our's did...twice. They're incredible & I don't think I will ever understand where they find all their strength. They miss you so much. I know their lives changed in more ways than mine that morning & I often find myself just starring at them in awe. How blessed we are to call them our's.
     Thank you for loaning Duke to us for the last 11 years. Who knew that big, awkward puppy hiding in his doghouse would end up being the biggest inside fur-baby we've ever had?...you did, I guess. I think you must have known how much we would need him. For me, he was the last tangible part of you so letting him go has been really hard. I miss him so much already but I can only imagine how excited he was to see you again. I would often talk to him about you; telling him stories would make me feel closer to you somehow. Man how I miss those talks. Oh, by the way, the orange ball is his favorite so please be sure to throw that as hard & as far as you can - that back leg won't be holding him back in the clouds.
     I'll never forget what happened in the early hours of August 28, 2004. You were taken from this world much too early for my liking or my approval & I struggle with your absence everyday. You were an incredible big brother & I hate that I didn't tell you that nearly enough. I hope you know how much I love you & how much I miss you because...well, I can't find a way to put it into words. All I can say is that I do love you & I do miss you so, so very much. Thank you for blessing us with your presence for 24 beautiful years.

You are forever in my heart, my head, & my soul.

Until we meet again.

Rest Easy.

Your baby sister,
 Lisa

John David Johnson

April 29, 1980 - August 28, 2004