Day 14 of 25 DAYS OF HUGGING:
John Pierorazio, known to many of us by his stage name Johnny Vincent, was the youngest of Vince and Giovanna Pierorazio’s three children; he also was the youngest of a gaggle of mostly female cousins. Johnny drove his sisters and his cousins crazy from an early age, and Christina was certainly not immune to it; that has never really stopped since then.
Johnny had a way of entertaining them that kept everyone laughing and smiling, and then Johnny had a habit of not stopping until they couldn’t stop laughing.
If Johnny wants to hang out with you, you might as well just surrender. But Johnny is ALL heart and love, all six foot five inches of him!
When Christina was hospitalized that last time, Johnny came to see her as often as he could at Northwestern Memorial and finally when she was back at home. His jokes were softer but he still made her laugh, even in those final days; however, now he had another role to perform as a comforter and another person to help Christina on this final journey. Johnny’s beauty is the empathy he feels for each and every person he meets, and his ability to try and make them smile. Johnny is the only person who has ever rivaled Christina’s ability to make you feel that squeeze during a hug; he ought to be able, as he’s twice her size! But that hug is from the heart, and that’s what provides the real power in both his and Christina’s hugs.
When Johnny sang Amazing Grace at Christina’s funeral, every person in that Church felt his hug, and when he sings the Star Spangled Banner in public it
is amazing how everyone in the audience
feels his hugs too.
Just one last thing: Don’t you ever stop Johnny, your cousin is watching you and counting on you to carry on your shared mission!!!
Please consider a donation to the charity at www.celebratingchristina.org/donate.
One day, one goal, one big hug at a time.