Goodbye Johnny

I was having a very difficult time letting Johnny go when our Pastor suggested that we write something for the memorial service that would be personal and meaningful. I started to jot down a few things and soon had several pages of memories to draw from. We put together a memory picture book to display at the memorial service since Johnny would be cremated.

We chose a good friend to read our accounting of Johnny’s life. We chose him because he always made time for Johnny whenever he stopped by the house. He would tease Johnny and make him laugh out loud. Johnny adored him.

We were shocked to find the church nearly three fourths filled with teachers, social workers, agency workers, principals, church members and friends. The service was mixed with tears and laughter as we could envision each incident that had been so adequately read. It was a wonderful service. While we realized that most were there on our behalf, we couldn’t help but compare how no one seemed interested in Johnny when he first moved in with us, and today, the church was full of people who had come to both celebrate his life and mourn his passing. Surely the Lord does work in mysterious ways.

Our dear friend and song writer, Buddy Houghteling, sang “Here Kitty, Kitty” which is certainly not your normal funeral song, but one of Johnny’s favorites. (This was probably the most unconventional funeral we’ll ever attend). Before Buddy began, he said a few words about getting to know Johnny and his love for music. While he didn’t think he could really compete with Johnny’s favorite group, “The Donut Club,” he felt honored that Johnny also enjoyed his music. At the end of the service, Buddy sang “Family Reunion” at our request. I still get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when I listen to Buddy’s Family Reunion CD. The second verse is especially touching. “All of us on earth know separation. When someone who you loved so much is gone; leaving you with teary eyes and memories, Longing for that promised golden dawn.”

We will carry memories of Johnny with us, for as long as we are alive.

Though the next few weeks were difficult, we were comforted to know that Johnny was no longer suffering. We no longer have to worry about Johnny. It is nice to let him rest with Jesus.

We dream of meeting Johnny again someday at the feet of Jesus and fantasize what it will be like to have our very first conversation with him. A good deal of the inspiration for the song we wrote called, “It’s So Good To See You Here”, came from losing Johnny and our dreams of meeting him in Heaven. We are certain that Johnny will be the choir director or have some other powerful position of honor to compensate for all the suffering he endured on this earth. We are also certain that God will be holding his arms open wide as He welcomes Johnny home for good. Oh what a reunion that will be!

We dedicate this song to our memory of Johnny Baldwin:

Many years go by, so many sad goodbye’s, and we wonder, how long before that day,
When God’s trump shall sound, and we all gather round, at Jesus feet, we’ll hear the Father say;
Welcome home, my dear and faithful friend. Oh my child, it’s so good to see you here. Come and sit with me a while, let me tell you, I’ve loved you for all of time.
When that cloud appears, heartaches will disappear, when Jesus dries away all our tears.
In that earth made new, with Grandpa, and Ezekiel too, all together with Jesus, we’ll hear the Father say;
Welcome home, my dear and faithful friend. Oh my child, it’s so good to see you here.
Come and sit with me a while, let me tell you, I’ve loved you for all of time.

Jesus has left us the beautiful promise that He will return to take us to the wonderful homes he has prepared for us. I can hardly wait to finally hear the words, "Welcome home my dear and faithful friend", as Jesus dries our tears for good. Soon after that we will be on a mission to find our dear friend and beloved "Son" Johnny.

GOODBYE JOHNNY

The Johnny Series

THE END