Saturday, July 5, 2008

And The Blog Goes On ...

As I said in this previous post, this blog was initially created for us to have a place where we can all express our support to the Johnson's family in this time of grief. This blog served as our communication point where we let you know the details of the Memorial Services for Joey as both in LA and Maui. This was also the place where we shared some of our memories of Joey.

My initial thought was that the last post of this blog would be the "Paddle Out" so there will be some kind of closure. Then Karen and Joe will move on to a new blog I created for them to record their journey of grief and healing. But as you all know, that didn't happen. I realized that "closure" is not what the Johnson family needs. What they need is "healing" and "comfort in times of grief" and this blog helps bring about comfort, and so we continue.

Because Joey's life is so rich, because Joey has so many family and friends who loves him, this blog can go on for years and I (we) still would have plenty to write on or blog about. In fact, I have several blog posts and photos in line to post (like the photos send by Aunt Jackie, the e-mail sent by Wendy, a post from Mackenzie, etc), I am just pacing it so we have at least a post a day. Eventually it may be a post a week but the blog will continue on. To God be the glory!

I also realize that as we talk about Joey's life, we learn so many things. This blog not only remembers Joey, not only comforts the Johnsons, but it also inspires and motivates us. For example, it reminds us of what is important in life, and how to live life to it's fullest. It motivates us parents to spend time with our kids. It inspires us to be a better person.

I have a lot of ideas and plans for the blog, but there's no rush in trying to do all that quickly. This blog is a work in progress. And I thank you ll for visiting regularly.

As we already know, many of you read the blog on a regular basis but don't leave a comment regularly. That is fine and understandable. My only request is that we make sure there is at least one comment per post, to represent the many who visits. The comments remind the Johnsons that they are not alone in this time of grief and that a lot of people are praying for them.

Karen, every now and then, sends me an e-mail to post to let us know how they are doing. This blog serves as our connection with them, as they go through this roller coaster ride with grief; as well as healing process. She also sometimes leave a comment on posts and those are precious ones, another glimpse of where they are at.

I am temporarily taking the slide show on the side bar down. Will put a better one later. In the meantime, more photos will appear on each post.

See you around...

Liza

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Joe & Karen,

Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Love Always, Kevin & Shirley

Liza on Maui said...

Thanks Kevin and Shirley for those encouraging verses. As I am blog-hopping around this morning, I read another good one:

Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Mackenzie said...

I visit this blog nearly everyday because I think about the Johnsons everyday and because I miss Joe. This blog (as well as the facebook group Rachel created and others' blogs) is like a continuous memory wheel of Joe's incredible life and reminds me how lucky we all were to know him. We miss him so much and it still hurts. Karen, I too am still waiting for him to just walk in the door...

Thank you for creating this blog so that we all have a place to "visit" the Johnsons and our dearly missed Joe(y).

-Mackenzie

Anonymous said...

Thinking of ya'll and please know that each of you are in our prayers everyday. We send great big hugs and love your way!
Love, Garnett and Scott

anjuli paschall said...

i am so glad that you will continue with this blog. i check it as often as i can. i am continually moved by the impact Joey had on so many people. what an amazing man. thanks for the continual posts and updates. it is a healing place for so many. Karen, Joe, and family are still in my prayers. Love.
Anjuli

Anonymous said...

Aloha Johnson Family,

I appreciate Liza updating us on the blog. I am one of those who visits regularly, but do not always leave a note. Please know Johnsons that we love you and know that the journey of this season of your life continues with the support of those that love you.

Kim Insley-Morrell

Karen said...

Thank you to all of you who visit the blog...whether you leave comments or not. This blog helps to keep our son alive and present with us. It is so important to us that he be remembered. I wondered why that was so important to us, and then I read a grief book that says that all parents who have lost children feel that way. It is part of taking care of your children. We can't stop thinking about him and missing him, even though we know he is in Heaven. We are so glad he is in such a good and happy place, but he left a huge void here with us. We know God understands our pain in that, and it helps that others do too.
Thank you to each of you who have reached out to us and understand what we are going through.
All our love...