I saw Johnny as much as possible since we lived 400 miles from him, but one particular visit sticks in my mind. I can't remember if Wayne (our youngest)was on leave or had left to join the Navy, but anyway, he's a computer whiz and Johnny had something on his computer he needed help with. I told him he had to play Good Bye World Good Bye for me on his trombone before I would let Wayne help him. He did, huffing and puffing the whole time (you might not believe it, but Johnny put on a lot of weight when he got older). He sounded just as good as he always did, but when he was through he asked me, "do you have any idea how many years it's been since I played that?" Another memory I cherish was many years before that; we hadn't been living in Dallas too long. One night we were coming out of a mall walking in the parking lot; all of a sudden Johnny starts walking funny and saying in a child like voice, "Mama, I's got to tee tee." He was so embarrassed when he realized there were other people around. We laughed and laughed then and for years after. Johnny asked me once if I wanted to go bowling. I'd never been, but said sure. I beat him! He was so humiliated. I don't think he ever got over that. Those of you at the mansion when we were can appreciate this story. Shortly before our mother died she had a big dinner and all of us kids were there; along with some of the grandchildren. My youngest son had limited things he liked and this occasion wasn't any different, but this was one of our favorite meals, roast beef with all the trimmings. So, I'm sitting there trying to coax Wayne to eat. Johnny spoke up and said, "Joy, are you trying to make that boy eat after all the trouble you gave the people at the mansion?" I told him that was precisely why I was making him eat. But Johnny couldn't let me off the hook so easily. He said, "I remember every meal, Joy, drink your milk, Joy eat your eggs. Everyone would be gone and Joy would still be sitting there." Another time we were down in Dallas visiting. It had been a while since I'd seen Johnny. Larry had been telling me Johnny had lost his hair. Still I wasn't prepared for it. Johnny and Amy walked into the hotel where we were staying and for the first time I saw my brother with his beloved hair all gone. I couldn't help myself; I doubled over laughing. Johnny just stood there with this look on his face and said, "Most people just snicker. She bends over and laughs out loud." Poor Johnny! Johnny was so outgoing. He never met a stranger and was never afraid to try anything. Johnny, I miss you terribly. We all do, but I'm looking after Amy and the kids.
I can not tell you, Brenda, how glad I am you came back into Johnny's life shortly before he died. How appropriate it was you, his one true love, that gave him real happiness so shortly before his death. Also, because of you, he and Amy were able to talk, understand, forgive and heal. I can never thank you enough for giving this wonderful gift to two of the most important people to me
Amy Jennings
This guy's performance is nice... But I LOVED my daddy's performance on the trumbone best.Joy Jennings (Young)
I saw Johnny as much as possible since we lived 400 miles from him, but one particular visit sticks in my mind. I can't remember if Wayne (our youngest)was on leave or had left to join the Navy, but anyway, he's a computer whiz and Johnny had something on his computer he needed help with. I told him he had to play Good Bye World Good Bye for me on his trombone before I would let Wayne help him. He did, huffing and puffing the whole time (you might not believe it, but Johnny put on a lot of weight when he got older). He sounded just as good as he always did, but when he was through he asked me, "do you have any idea how many years it's been since I played that?" Another memory I cherish was many years before that; we hadn't been living in Dallas too long. One night we were coming out of a mall walking in the parking lot; all of a sudden Johnny starts walking funny and saying in a child like voice, "Mama, I's got to tee tee." He was so embarrassed when he realized there were other people around. We laughed and laughed then and for years after. Johnny asked me once if I wanted to go bowling. I'd never been, but said sure. I beat him! He was so humiliated. I don't think he ever got over that. Those of you at the mansion when we were can appreciate this story. Shortly before our mother died she had a big dinner and all of us kids were there; along with some of the grandchildren. My youngest son had limited things he liked and this occasion wasn't any different, but this was one of our favorite meals, roast beef with all the trimmings. So, I'm sitting there trying to coax Wayne to eat. Johnny spoke up and said, "Joy, are you trying to make that boy eat after all the trouble you gave the people at the mansion?" I told him that was precisely why I was making him eat. But Johnny couldn't let me off the hook so easily. He said, "I remember every meal, Joy, drink your milk, Joy eat your eggs. Everyone would be gone and Joy would still be sitting there." Another time we were down in Dallas visiting. It had been a while since I'd seen Johnny. Larry had been telling me Johnny had lost his hair. Still I wasn't prepared for it. Johnny and Amy walked into the hotel where we were staying and for the first time I saw my brother with his beloved hair all gone. I couldn't help myself; I doubled over laughing. Johnny just stood there with this look on his face and said, "Most people just snicker. She bends over and laughs out loud." Poor Johnny! Johnny was so outgoing. He never met a stranger and was never afraid to try anything. Johnny, I miss you terribly. We all do, but I'm looking after Amy and the kids.
Joy Jennings (Young)
I can not tell you, Brenda, how glad I am you came back into Johnny's life shortly before he died. How appropriate it was you, his one true love, that gave him real happiness so shortly before his death. Also, because of you, he and Amy were able to talk, understand, forgive and heal. I can never thank you enough for giving this wonderful gift to two of the most important people to me