Johnny

All of the people that I consider friends I know to be good people.  Life is too short to surround yourself with any other kind of person.  When I reflect on these friendships, there are some who stand out for extraordinary attributes.  For some it is loyalty; some a preternatural positive attitude that can't help rub-off on you. Others have humor enough to send you off your chair rolling with laughter.  Still others exemplify a selfless passion to help others.

A rare few exemplify a multitude of these qualities.  Still fewer have the singular distinction of possessing them all.   I hold the distinguished honor to say John Ericksen is one such friend.  I first met Johnny through my brother.  As I got to know him, his great attitude and his laugh made being around him a joy.  I have been blown away by the generosity that he and his family have shown over the years organizing and running the Johnny Open ClubnCancer golf fund raiser.  I tell everyone about this event that it is one of the highlights of my spring.  Events like this and the generosity that they demonstrate are one of the reasons that it makes me proud to be a golfer.  Over less than 10 years Johnny and his family have provided much needed financial support to families going through cancer.  With his hard work he has raised thousands and thousands of dollars and selflessly helped many wonderful families.

Johnny has had his own struggles with cancer for many years but you'd hardly know it from being around him.  His positivity every time I have been around him has been something I've always striven to emulate.

Cancer sucks and it is back again.  Since hearing this news I have been thinking about Johnny a lot.  About what a great friend he is, and more so, about what a great person.  I want nothing more than for him to be back out golfing on Thursdays as Dwan.  I wish for him a quick and full recovery.  But more than anything I hope for another win in his battle. 

A new painting for John inspired by cartoons of Peter Hobbs