Schph Gochi
Message Board Member
"traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops boy"
Posts: 9,278
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Post by Schph Gochi on Aug 10, 2005 4:53:23 GMT -5
Just a note to all TJA members that Katie Johnson passed away yesterday at 5:00 pm. Not only did she move those at the 501st, her presence was felt here and throughout the entire "Star Wars" Community. Thoughts of Katie propelled TJA at Celebration III and cemented together an entire group of costumers. Katie Johnson-safely home- 8-9-2005  |
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Post by lazlototh on Aug 10, 2005 10:25:08 GMT -5
There are no words that can describe how bad I feel, I'm so sorry...
My thoughts go with Albin and family - I hope they're ok.
I hope this doesn't sound weird but I'm gonna wear my Jedi robes today out of respect for the Johnsons. I don't know any other way to express myself right now.
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Schph Gochi
Message Board Member
"traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops boy"
Posts: 9,278
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Post by Schph Gochi on Aug 10, 2005 13:08:38 GMT -5
There are no words that can describe how bad I feel, I'm so sorry... My thoughts go with Albin and family - I hope they're ok. I hope this doesn't sound weird but I'm gonna wear my Jedi robes today out of respect for the Johnsons. I don't know any other way to express myself right now. Not wierd at all....I'm behind you Lazlo...as always... |
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Post by Jaren Valnor on Aug 10, 2005 13:16:06 GMT -5
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JediKai
Message Board Member
TJA Savior
Posts: 5,560
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Post by JediKai on Aug 10, 2005 23:39:58 GMT -5
I wore my pink "for Katie" bracelet from CIII to remember her all day today.
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Mon-Jas Charan
Message Board Member
"Poena Vigoratus. Pullus cavo vix. Palma , est eternus"
Posts: 2,630
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Post by Mon-Jas Charan on Aug 10, 2005 23:42:21 GMT -5
My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
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Post by JediMistressDragon on Aug 11, 2005 8:45:06 GMT -5
Bill and I have the Johnsons' address so we're sending a condolences card. Yes, there's another angel in Heaven now.
JMD
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Schph Gochi
Message Board Member
"traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops boy"
Posts: 9,278
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Post by Schph Gochi on Aug 11, 2005 10:44:13 GMT -5
From Albin Johnson:
As some of you may have already heard, my daughter Katie finally ended
her battle with cancer on Tuesday when she passed away around 5:30 pm.
Katie's health had been declining so I began my leave of absence from
work that day, not knowing that would be the day she would pass. Katie
enjoyed a quiet morning with me and Kathy, watching t.v. and playing
with her kittens. She asked me to put Star Wars Episode II on, then laid
down to take a nap. Hours later she passed away in her sleep. She was
surrounded by both sets of parents, her oncologist, her hospice nurse,
and her pastor. It was a minor miracle that everyone managed to be there
at just the right time. I held Katie in my arms as she struggled with
her transformation, holding her close and reassuring her that it was
okay to let go. She let out a deep and satisfying sigh with her last
breath and it sounded just like when she was a baby. I must have held
her for two hours.
Katie's older sister, Allie, was devastated by the news. But she's a
trooper at heart and today she marched bravely to her first day of
school in spite of her loss. I asked her if she was sure she wanted to
go, and she said she had to - Katie had wanted to make the first day of
school and couldn't, so Allie would do it for her. Katie's step-mom,
Kathy, turned in the math book Katie worked so hard on over the summer.
It was a beautiful day. Katie had passed at just the right time -
waiting long enough to see Hilary Duff in person and seeing members of
the Carolina Garrison who visited her on Saturday. But soon enough for
Allie to have _just_ enough time to start fresh at school.
Katie's funeral will be held tomorrow, Friday August 12th, at Riverland
Hills Baptist Church on St. Andrews Rd.in Columbia, SC. Service will be
at 4 pm. Everyone who attends is encouraged to wear something pink, as
that is what Katie would have wanted.
This is the most horrible experience of my life, but it is also the most
incredible lesson I've had the privilege to witness. Katie fought cancer
every step of the way, never complaining about her treatments or her
disabilities. She was a plucky, wonderful child who told me she was not
afraid to die. A big fan of the LOTR character , Frodo, she remarked to
me a couple weeks ago that Frodo was lucky to go in the boat over the
seas to the undying lands, and likened that to real-world death. She
said that there was no reason to cry, because over there there are no
monsters and whoever goes over is happy and too busy having fun to miss
those they left behind.
God was at work here, no matter what anyone says. Katie had two fathers,
and her heavenly one just wanted her more than her earthly one and took
her home. Through all the praying and hoping, I have always felt the
spirit of calm that God's will would be worked even if I couldn't
understand it. One day I will. I'll be in heaven and Katie will take me
by the hand and show me around and reassure me that everything was fine.
It's a nice dream I have.
I can't thank everyone adequately here for the love and encouragement
you've all shown me and my family and to Katie herself. If you could
only see the hundreds of cards and gifts and letters Katie received
you'd know just how loved she was. I will forever be grateful to
everyone for their support.
I will be mostly out of touch for some time but promise to return soon.
Please hug someone you love.
God bless you all.
Albin Johnson
Katie's dad
May I suggest that everyone wear something pink tomorrow...
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Post by Whinter Fenlynn on Aug 11, 2005 19:47:54 GMT -5
I was so saddened to hear of Katie's passing. I had never actually gotten to meet Katie in person, but I saw her when they showed her message to everyone at the party at Celebration III. A truly beautiful child. May she rest peacefully.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Johnson family.
(And I will be wearing something Pink for Katie tomorrow.)
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Post by Leda EmBorr on Aug 11, 2005 23:25:40 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that Schph... "touching" is a mild word for it. |
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Post by Jedi9181 on Aug 12, 2005 7:02:09 GMT -5
I am at a loss of words at the moment. Shocked, but in the back of my mind I know it is for the best. If I might quote Yoda from EIII
"Moarn not those whom turn into The Force"
I as well will ware pink today.
Peace to the Johnsons and to everyone.
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Post by Emerita on Aug 27, 2005 10:52:48 GMT -5
I contacted my niece who has twin daughters, one, Charlotte, which has been battling cancer for 6 years. She is now 10 years old. Right now she is in complete remission. My neice said that they did not know Katie, even though they both live in Columbia and were in the same cancer groups, but in different levels. Charlotte is like Katie, never complaing about the chemo which ravaged her body. She always said that if she died, that she would move in to her sister's body, that there would be plenty of room so mommy wouldn't miss her. Charlotte and her sister are genetically identical twins. Charlotte has Leukemia and her sister will be there as a perfect match later on if the cancer comes back and she needs a bone marrow transplant. Being genetically identical, they are the very first twins in history for one twin to have cancer and the other one not. I have a feeling that Charlotte has a destiny that she needs to fullfill as an adult.....
Charlotte has added Katie to her evening prayers......
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Post by Cara Drume on Aug 28, 2005 0:38:25 GMT -5
I didn't realize until just now that Katie Johnson was only about seven years old. If I'd known she was that young, I would have posted sooner...
My thoughts and prayers go out to Katie's family and friends.
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