It's been quite some time, about two years, since I have posted here on this thread I started over five years ago. I must say though, that every time somebody posts here, I do look, as I do have it subscribed to. And it has brought me many private smiles of times past, but long remembered, never forgotten. So many nice people have passed through here over the years.
This post is to bring some sad news to many here who have been on these boards for many years, those with long memories. I am sure anybody who visits this community board forum, and has been here from years back, recalls our friend Snoopy, or in later years, JunieJay. Before anyone jumps to conclusions or makes quick assumptions in the tone of my words, Snoopy, or as many of us know her, Judi, is okay. I guess I should say physically okay.
Getting to the point, and so tough to type here, Judi's husband John, suddenly passed away, last year, late October time. It was totally unexpected, a young man of 51, a man who was a physical fitness person in law enforcement, the Secret Service. Most recently, for a number of years, he was a training instructor, teaching new Secret Service people the work they would be doing. He was really in great shape, as he was his whole life. John had a blood clot, he did not suffer at all.
Our friend Judi passed the sad news on to me about a month later. I was stunned beyond words.
Judi has said she and her two boys, now both teens, are lost, devastated and still struggling with the loss of a caring, loving husband, a caring, devoted father.
At the time, and for a few months, Judi was, really still is, too saddened to share and reach out much beyond a very small circle of friends. I asked her recently if, using this method, this thread, to connect with people she knows from here and the past, might help in that reach. I know old timers do look here, even if they might not post on it. Judi agreed, thinking it a good way to reach out to those she knows, those who know her, but, sadly, mutually unable to connect.
I think the old timers here can all recall the many happy times we shared with Snoopy, JunieJay and Judi for so many years. She is a special lady. I first met her online here, back in early 1999, her telling us about her recent trip to Disney, her two boys in tow, her double stroller from hell on the narrow walkways of Animal Kingdom, hubby John cursing the stroller and the heat. I recall my days as a moderator type person, along with her. Judi would stand up for so many people here, she is a very righteous person. She would not take a back seat to injustices, never afraid to voice her thoughts and opinions. I recall talking to Judi back then, about her relating to John about some of the goings on here on these boards. She said he would say, 'you've got to be kidding, who are these people?' LOL, we can still smile in our sadness.
I recall, on 9/11, calling Judi, knowing with her living in DC and all, that it might be good to have a friend from here reach out to her. Unknown to me, John had Judi's cell phone that day. He answered, on the roof of the White House, he doing his duty to the President and staff.
I start trying to tell him who I am (he did know of me and I had sent him a Chicago baseball hat in the past) and when I think he had an inkling of who I was, I said, 'John, I will let you go, you have important stuff you are doing, God bless you, along with Judi and the boys'. That was the only time I really ever talked to him. Judi and I still joke about that insanely ironic encounter.
Over the years, Judi always spoke glowingly of her hubby John. He was a proud husband, and she, a proud wife. I could always hear her pride in her words, in an email, on the phone, or the several times we have had the pleasure of meeting in person over the years. Most recently, we were able to meet up in DC while Marie and I were there for a vacation. I was so happy that Judi and Marie were finally able to meet, after so many years of hearing about each other. When they met, it was like they had known each other for most of their lives. And at dinner that very hot summer day last June, Judi again spoke of John a number of times throughout dinner. Pride.
To sum up, please do keep Judi and her two boys in your prayers, good wishes and thoughts. Judi told me today she and they are still struggling with the loss, and do believe in and could use the power of prayer. I know she has a lot of friends here, feels very, very bad that she herself can not share her grief here. If you do happen to stop by and read this, and know of others from the old days that would want to know, please share the link.
And I know if she was able to, she would be making a thread here every week or so, asking.......
Whatcha wearing???
Snoopy, JunieJay, Judi....she had a way about her, she still really does. You would see that if you were able to reach out to her, and her in turn, to all of us. And much of who she is today is from John, her childhood sweetheart, life friend and companion, husband, father to their two boys.
God speed, John.
God bless, Judi, along with your two wonderful boys.
Dan
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You and your DSs are in my prayers!
