In 1984, Dave Johnson’s son, Justin, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. It was important to Dave and his wife, Rosie, to keep their little boy with his siblings as much as they could. As the holiday approached, Rosie and Justin made a pact to surprise Dave with a beautiful portrait.
Rosie reached out to local artist, Vicki Junk-Wright, known at the time for her work painting children’s portraits. Vicki dropped everything to accommodate the request, understanding that time was of the essence.
Just as his special surprise was complete, Justin fell into a coma. When he came out of the coma, the family celebrated Christmas early, and the little boy was able to reveal the secret he’d kept so well. He passed away on December 20. The family held his funeral on Christmas Eve, with Vicki’s portrait at the front of the church.
This December, 38 years after she met Justin and captured some of the final moments of his life, the Johnsons invited Vicki back to their home to see her work, which sits on the mantel over their fireplace. She was met with the sweet face she remembered and an opportunity to reminisce about the experience and how it impacted her.
Next to the portrait, is a note from Justin, with calligraphy by the family’s neighbor. It reads:
Daddy,
This is a special picture of me for you. This is me and Mommy’s secret that you don’t know all of. You can always look at me when I’m in Heaven. I will send you rainbows … (and sometimes rain.) Hope you like my picture. I love you very much.
Dave sees his little boy’s words as a constant reminder of life’s blessings, and he credits Vicki with capturing him in a way that helps them remember their son and his beautiful spirit. As we enter the holidays, don’t lose sight of the rainbows and savor time with the people who mean the most to you.
