For Gregory. Gregory Garland Johnson was my brother. He was
35 years old when he departed this life. After his death, my family found a draft of his partially completed autobiography. We searched
the entire house and I searched every bit of data on his computer to
find the rest of the story. Once we convinced ourselves there was nothing else he had written, I promised my mother that I would complete the story of her only son, and my only brother.
It was a very painful process for me. I would start writing, but had to stop because it was too much. One or two years passed, my mother would ask about it, then I would start again. Finally, my mother became very discouraged and told me she didn't think I would ever finish the book. That was part of my motivation to go beyond my hurt and pain, and the business of my life, to complete this project.
It is not the longevity of life that is important in this world, but the impact you make on the lives of people while you are here, and long after you are gone. Gregory died young; however, the impact he made on his family and friends remains long after his departure. We found a plethora of pain medication, both prescribed and over the counter, when we cleaned his room. He was in constant pain, and this discovery really highlighted the point for the family. Yet in spite of the pain, Gregory was always there for his friends. Anytime they needed something, he was there. Sometimes he would get out of his bed in pain to go help a friend or run an errand for our grandmother. He would then go back home and back to bed.
I could not imagine the pain he was going through after his Lupus diagnosis. However, I was encouraged, and I'm still encouraged, by the strength of his spirit and by his drive to help his fellow man in spite of his circumstances. This is Gregory's light, that shines brightly to this day. It is a legacy of strength, love and courage. I encourage you to read Gregory's story. You will appreciate your own life and be motivated to do more to help others.
Yes, it was a difficult project to complete. However, I did it for our mother, for you the reader who will be impacted by his legacy, and last but not least, I did it for my only brother, for Gregory.
35 years old when he departed this life. After his death, my family found a draft of his partially completed autobiography. We searched
the entire house and I searched every bit of data on his computer to
find the rest of the story. Once we convinced ourselves there was nothing else he had written, I promised my mother that I would complete the story of her only son, and my only brother.
It was a very painful process for me. I would start writing, but had to stop because it was too much. One or two years passed, my mother would ask about it, then I would start again. Finally, my mother became very discouraged and told me she didn't think I would ever finish the book. That was part of my motivation to go beyond my hurt and pain, and the business of my life, to complete this project.
It is not the longevity of life that is important in this world, but the impact you make on the lives of people while you are here, and long after you are gone. Gregory died young; however, the impact he made on his family and friends remains long after his departure. We found a plethora of pain medication, both prescribed and over the counter, when we cleaned his room. He was in constant pain, and this discovery really highlighted the point for the family. Yet in spite of the pain, Gregory was always there for his friends. Anytime they needed something, he was there. Sometimes he would get out of his bed in pain to go help a friend or run an errand for our grandmother. He would then go back home and back to bed.
I could not imagine the pain he was going through after his Lupus diagnosis. However, I was encouraged, and I'm still encouraged, by the strength of his spirit and by his drive to help his fellow man in spite of his circumstances. This is Gregory's light, that shines brightly to this day. It is a legacy of strength, love and courage. I encourage you to read Gregory's story. You will appreciate your own life and be motivated to do more to help others.
Yes, it was a difficult project to complete. However, I did it for our mother, for you the reader who will be impacted by his legacy, and last but not least, I did it for my only brother, for Gregory.
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