Monday, July 20, 2009

John L. Thiem Jr - Nov 12, 1977- July 21,1999

Here it is July 20th 2009, and I'm thinking of you Johnny. 10 years ago our lives changed forever. Of course, not a day goes by without thoughts of you. We try and just dwell on the good memories, but unfortunately those bad days come back to memory because of the horrible disease you lived with every day of your life. Cystic Fibrosis, a disease we continue to fight for a cure of. We do celebrate the fact that you are in Heaven, a place of no more pain, no sorrow and picture you playing the drums and singing in that heavenly choir. We found a few pictures, not of real good quality, and the scanner isn't working, but wanted to add a few new ones. Thanks Oscar for finding this one. Johnny loved to play his drums as often as possible, so playing at camp was a blast for him. I hope you will share some memories of Johnny with us. It is our way of dealing with our grief . We love you Johnny, Mom and Dad.
Johnny playing his drums at church camp, approximately 1997 or 1998.
The picture below is of Johnny and one of his greatest mentors,
his Band Director, Paul Locke. This is at band camp in I believe 1993.
The picture above is at one of our band functions, either a band pool party
or band practice night.

This collage of pictures was put together by a very talented friend and co-band member, Eric Beckett after Johnny died.

Somemore favorite pictures




Our first Bowl for Breath - 1982 or 1983

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Wow 10 years!!!

In just a few days on July 21st will be 10 years since Johnny was promoted to Heaven. Its hard to believe its been that long. I still remember every detail like it was yesterday. I remember when I got to the hospital knowing that things were not good but never thinking that he would die. He always went to the hospital but always came home so there was no way this could happen to him and us. There was family waiting in the entrance lobby to take Ally for me and I was escorted up to the 3rd floor by Clark and Uncle Scott. When I got there the hospital chaplain was there with my mom and dad along with my grandparents and lots of other family. The chaplain and my parents explained to me that there was nothing left they could do for him. They had done all they could and it was time to let him go home. I was devasted! I asked to see him immediately by myself so that I could talk to him and say goodbye on my own. I will never forget that moment. Its something that no one should ever have to go through. Then family started to trickle in the room and we took turns for a bit. Aunt Liz took me out on the balcony and said Trisha look at the sky. Its a beautiful day and remember what the day you lose your brother looks like. It was a beautiful day. Warm and not a cloud in the sky. Then we went back in his room with all of our family and close friends at our side and sang Gospel Way songs to him as he had asked. It was such a beautiful yet heartbreaking moment and right before my mom and dad were going to have to take have him taken off life support God took him instead. Thank You God for taking that burden from my parents. That day was the worst day of our lives and hurts tremendously to this day, but was also the day my brother met Jesus face to face. I cant wait to see him again in Heaven some day soon. I love you and miss you everyday my sweet brother! Love always and forever in my heart, your sister

Monday, December 08, 2008

Favorite Christmas Memories with My Brother!




There are so so many special memories of Christmas with Johnny. Like picking out our Christmas tree every year. We could not wait to go to the Christmas tree farm to get our tree. We both loved to decorate the tree. We would put on some Christmas music and just laugh and have a great time decorating the tree. (maybe even have a little fight over the ornaments too:-) One year when we were older and could drive ourselves, Mom and Dad must have been gone or something, they gave us money to go get a Christmas tree. So Jim, Johnny and I went to the Christmas tree farm. HAHAHA we could pick out which ever one we wanted and they werent there to tell us no. LOL. We came home with a HUGE tree. It wouldn't even stand up in the tree stand. We had to put it in the corner so we could lean it up against the wall for support. That was great. Going back in time a little. I remember when every Christmas Eve Johnny would sleep in my room because we were just so excited we had to be together. We would be awake most of the night talking and giggling then wake up super early to see what Santa had brought us. There are so many more great memories that I could share but I'll save those for next year. Christmas was always very special at our house. I wish we had all those years on video so we could watch them now with our girls. I can only tell them about the wonderful Christmases that Johnny and I had when we were kids. Thank you Mom and Dad for all the wonderful memories!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Happy 31st Birthday in Heaven Johnny!


Today would have been Johnny's 31st birthday. Its so weird to think that it has been 10 years now since we celebrated a birthday with him. It seems like just yesterday he was here. Lucky for him he will never grow old. LOL. The rest of us keep getting older and older. I miss you so much my Bro. I would have called you today and probably sang out of tune happy birthday to you just like we did on each others birthdays every year. I miss that. I know you are having a great day today in heaven. We love you sooo much and cant wait to be with you again someday soon.

Love Trisha, Jim, Mom, Dad, Ally, Megan, Malia and Jena


This is our group picture from the Bowl for Breath this last Sat. We had a really great turn out for our first year running it and raised a little over $12,000 for CF. Thank you to everyone who had a part in making this day a great success. Next year will be even better.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Bowl For Breath Nov 8, 2008

Hello everyone, Bowl for Breath 2008 is just around the corner.
Please give to this worthy cause. We celebrate on this day Johnny's Birthday, with our gift to him to continue the Fight for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

I have a special prayer request.
Many of you know Benny from our church. Benny has Cystic Fibrosis and was evaluated for a double lung transpant this week. Please pray for him, as I know he is very frightened by all the unknown. Please also be an encouragement to him.
Remember as we PUSHED4JOHNNY now we need to PUSH4BENNY




you can follow the Bowl for Breath on our website at www.bowlforbreath4cf.com
or www.bowlforbreath4cf.org

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Celebrating Johnny's life Nov 12,1977-July 21,1999

You know I was kinda sad that I don't have any new pictures of Johnny to share, and then I remember he is in a land "Where we'll never grow old". Johnny will be young and how old will we be?
He is with his Grandma(Nana) he loved so much, his grandfather's he never knew on earth (Marv Sr and A.D.) He is singing and probably playing his drums in heaven. Are there drums? Can't you just see him? He's rejoicing in a place where he's singing "I'm going to live forever". We here on earth are just sad because we miss him so much. Don't you want to know what will he look like "When we all get to Heaven". Will he be as young as when he left here nine years ago and will we be old!!!!!! Ha!Ha!
We have gotten older and someone is going to be 40 this year. I don't know who(Chris) (Sorry Chris, but had to laugh at your expense so I would stop crying). Just wait the ribbing has only begun Chris. Someone else real special will be 60, I just really love old people(Clark).You know I love you or I wouldn't tease you!
But do you ever wonder about these things? I just know Johnny is happy, sitting

"At the Feet of Jesus". Getting all the answers to the questions he has. Is he fatter? He's healthier, but was so skinny and sick here. Trisha says he's sitting with Grandma, having some cinnamon bread, Pepsi and having a burping contest, like when we went to Lake Isabella to see them.

When we were planning Johnny's funeral, Greg shared this story with us. Johnny and Greg discussed that when they died they wanted this song played at their funeral. Johnny said, Greg I will probably die before you so make sure they play this. This song was played at the gravesite.


GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN (Vince Gill)

I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain.
Chorus:
Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son.

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered 'round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels' faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing.
Go rest high on that mountain
Son your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son.

Go rest high on that mountain
Cause, son your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son.
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son...

Can't you hear Johnny shoutin'? He would say to you, don't grieve for me, just "Prepare to meet thy God". Don't you want to go? Are you ready to go? If the Lord came back today would you be prepared? Would he find you faithful?

We love you all, you have always been here for us.
Please "Share A Blessing "with us

John, Esther, Trisha, Jim, Alexis, Megan, Malia and Jena

Saturday, February 02, 2008

PUSH FOR THE CURE NOV 8, 2008


As many of you know we made a promise to Johnny when he passed away
that we would continue the PUSH for the cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
Our family is in charge of the Bowl for Breath this year.
The Date has been set for Nov 8, 2008 at Arlington lanes in Riverside.
Please SAVE THIS DATE!
How can you help?
You can donate and/or get businesses to donate.
We also need Raffle prizes and lots of volunteers.
An Organizational meeting was held last night and the wheels are in motion for the biggest and the best year yet for raising lots of money for Research.
Please contact us on how you can help.


Saturday, December 15, 2007

Merry Christmas in Heaven

Another year has gone by with Johnny in Heaven and this year a few more family members have joined Johnny. Aunt Lela and Lil Tony are spending time together with Johnny and just catching up. Don't you wonder what they are talking about after adoring and worshipping our Heavenly Father and singing in that heavenly choir. Makes me just want to go home, but the Lord's not finished with me yet and "Until then" I will just carry on. Please pray for our family this year who have lost a family member. Christmas will be different this year.
Time is short and we need to live each day as if it is our last day on earth. Share Jesus with someone this year!
Love you all and miss you so much Johnny!
Love Mom

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving Uncle Johnny

Happy Thanksgiving Uncle Johnny


Johnny's Birthday with his nieces

Jena calls her Uncle Johnny " Unca Gon"
Since Megan was very little, she always kisses Uncle Johnny's headstone
Ready to sing Happy Birthday Uncle Johnny



Sunday, November 11, 2007

Happy Birthday memories

Happy Birthday Johnny



Johnny was so proud of his letterman jacket,
He worked really hard to get his letter in music


Best friends forever
Johnny and Amanda

John, Amanda and Johnny in Colorado

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Happy Birthday in Heaven Johnny



Johnny and Nicole

Happy Birthday continued

Brian, Trisha, Johnny and Greg
Kenny, Johnny and Greg
Kenny and Johnny with the big catch
On the the bus that broke down with the Gospel way Quartet
Johnny, Greg and Kimi
Johnny and his buddy Greg fishing

Happy Birthday Johnny cont-More memories

Johnny dressed for Jazz Band
One of my favorite pictures, Johnny and his pepsi
Johnny's birthday
Johnny singing "Holding on to Jesus"
I have come to this ocean and the waves of fear are starting to grow.
The doubts and questions are rising with the tide.
So I’m clinging to the one sure thing I know.
I will hold on to the hand of my Savior and I will hold on with all my might.
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting and hold on to Jesus. I will hold on to Jesus for life.
I’ve tried to hold many treasures. They just keep slipping through my fingers like sand. But there’s one treasure that means more than breath itself. So I’m clinging to it with everything I am.
I will hold on to the hand of my Savior and I will hold on with all my might.
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting and hold on to Jesus. I will hold on to Jesus for life.
Like a child holding on to a promise, I will cling to His word and believe. As I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Hold on for life.
Johnny doing what he loved most

Happy 30th Birthday Nov 12th

Johnny (about 6-8 months old)
Trisha loves her baby brother
Johnny and Trisha

Happy 30th Birthday Nov 12th



Dearest Johnny,

I know you have gone to Heaven, but we still celebrate the day you were born.
It was a special day and you blessed our lives with memories we will never forget.
You were a happy baby when they finally found something you could eat and digest. You even became a fat baby. You loved to play your drums at an early age of 2 years old and played them all your life after. You loved anything to do with music. You sang a special song called "Holding on to Jesus for Life" and you literally did hold on for 21 years with a horrific disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Many people have shared with us how you blessed them and were a Christian example to them even through adversity. If we all could just live like you did, no complaining, just live life to the fullest and serve a loving God with joy. I miss you so much and someday we will all be together again.

Our lives changed forever when you went home to be with the Lord.

Happy Birthday Johnny in Heaven!
Love Mom

Friday, November 02, 2007

BFB 2007

P.U.S.H. 4 The Cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
(Remember our promise to Johnny)
Thanks again everyone for taking the time to share in Bowl for Breath 2007. Sorry it was a little disappointing. Next year the Thiems (and many related)will be heading up the Bowl for Breath 2008.
Please plan now to join us.
The date will be announced ASAP. We need every one's help.
If you can help please see Trisha, Marla, Lori or Chris.
We will need sponsor's, prizes donated and many volunteers to make next year a success.
Marla, Molly and Kelly
Corey Man
Benny
Lori looks like she is in labor, Ashley and baby girl Thiem
Jena's reaction to a strike!

BFB 2007

Best friends and cousin's Megan and Samantha
Jena and Sis. Claudia
Kristianne and Gabe (next year will be Mr & Mrs)
Trisha and Malia
Jena again (what a ham)