We left Friday afternoon and got to Louisiana around 12:30. We went straight to the hospital and saw Johnny. He was sedated but Bliss got to spend a little time with him and talk to the nurse about what was going on. We went to Bliss' grandmothers house for the night but got a call the next morning from his mother saying that we needed to get back to the hospital soon. When we got there, there were lots of Johnny family around. We all got to say our goodbyes then we left the room so that Bliss and his mother could be with Johnny. The doctors did everything they could for him but there was just too much going wrong. Just before noon, Johnny died.
That afternoon we went to the funeral home to get everything planned. There is SO much ridiculous stuff that people can do/buy for their dead loved ones...Bliss' cousin Erin and I were just amazed and we walked though the display area. Anyway, in with all the paperwork, Vicki had to sign something giving permission to remove John's defibrillator. Now he just got this back in December and it cost $110,000 for the hardware...not putting it in, just the device. Bliss was amazed by the cost since it really is just a battery. His phone is way more impressive and cost $199. So, as Vicki is signing this form, she explains that Bliss is a computer geek and asked the funeral director if they can have it. We all start to laugh...the poor funeral director turned bright red and laughed nervously, not knowing how to react this crazy ass family. He asked and turns out we were able to have it! We assumed that we would get it when we got the ashes in 2-3 days, but just a few min after we finished all the paperwork and planning, he gave it to us. Here it is!!!
On Sunday we ran a few errands and went though a bunch of photos looking for some good ones of Johnny. He was such a good looking man and had a great life. It was obvious in the photos that he really loved Vicki and Bliss; and even though I'm a damn yankee who came down and stole his good southern boy, I know he loved me too.
We had the memorial service on Monday morning. Bliss' cousin Erin sung, his Uncle Jack talked about Johnny's life, then another relative Kent sang to close. So many people showed up, it was wonderful. Most everyone went back to Bliss' grandmothers house after. I made a comment to Bliss about how there was so much food. His response was "This is the South, that's how we mourn". Too funny. I love that I married a man that can make jokes where there isn't anything reason to be funny. After everyone left, we went back to the house, changed and left for the casino! Johnny loved going to the casino and Vicki didn't want to be in the house so it seemed like the thing to do.
Tuesday Bliss helped out his mother doing some stuff around the house, then we did another of Johnny's favorite things, we went to Poncho's - an all you can eat Mexican restaurant.
We left today before lunch and got home uneventfully. I know it was very hard for Bliss to leave his mom, but she has so much support there, I know she will be just fine. That's about it...our extended weekend in a nut shell.
We love and miss you Johnny.
