I did go to Jo Lynn’s grave last night to celebrate her AA birthday with some of her friends. Not to much to say about it really but this email thread that started when my sister wrote to me is probably a good way to summarize.
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Email thread;
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Walt – I’m so glad you and the Chicks had an uplifting time. Sounds like you drew some strength from them…as they say…. what goes around comes around…
Ruthie
From: Walt Johnson [mailto:WaltJ@avtm.com] Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 9:18 PMTo: R WesterbeckSubject: RE: Thinking of you
Hi,
Thanks for the prayers. It means a lot to me.
It was nice to see the "Chicks" tonight. There were also some other friends from her Wednesday meeting who I know pretty well too. Linda (Jo Lynn's sponsor) said a nice prayer at the cemetery and then a few spoke briefly about their thoughts and feelings. Brief and nice. Then; We discovered that we locked in cemetery! Took a while to track down the watchman to let us out, kind of spooky.
A few of people went to dinner afterward so we had a chance to visit a bit. It was nice. It is always wonderful to see the evidence of how much these people think of Jo and how much she helped so many people in AA. The baby Kayla JoLynn was there also and when I was holding the baby Bunny (the mom) told me that she and Kayla consider Jo to be their guardian angel! (The theology is pretty weak but the feelings and love are very real and strong.) The people who succeed in AA are so good at getting strength from others, shamelessly and enthusiastically. And they say that the memory of Jo Lynn gives them strength even now, Very cool.
So even though I was not to enthusiastic going in, it turned out great and I did enjoy it and I feel better for having gone.
Thank you again.
Love
Walt
-----Original Message-----From: R Westerbeck [mailto:rwesterbeck1@comcast.net]Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 8:18 PMTo: Walt JohnsonSubject: Thinking of you
Hi Walt, just wanted to say hi and let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers especially today. I hope the time with JoLynn’s friends was meaningful and not too hard. It is so great that she had those alcohol free years and that her “Chicks” friends can still draw strength from her and her sobriety.
Take care, and love,
Ruthie
