About This Blog

My son, Jeff Milano-Johnson, died at age 14 on April 11, 2007. This past Thursday, June 14, would have been his 15th birthday. Jeff died of an aneurysm that burst while he was warming up for a Pittsford Varsity Lacrosse game against Spencerport (NY). Jeff had a passion for: life; his big brother Doug, who was his lifelong best friend; lacrosse; waffles and pancakes; world of warcraft; Cosby, his best four-legged friend; and Ron Burgandy. Jeff had a twinkle in his eye, an infectious laugh and huge smile. He had a mischievous streak that he could hide sometimes but never from his parents or the elementary/middle school administration or any of his teachers. He was a very good trumpet player when he played. But he rarely did his chores and as I recently learned he didn't do enough French homework (or perhaps any homework -- I am not sure?)

Jeff loved Doug so very much. It was obvious --at least so I thought. And Doug loved Jeff enormously. Jeff knew that Doug loved him. The first day at the Cape last year when Jeff threw sand on Doug's back while he was sleeping and Doug pounded him, well I was simply mortified 'cuz Aunt Linda and all those people saw this ... and I am supposed to be the "proud mama" not the "embarrassed mama".

Jeff and I talked later during that week about how much Doug loved him. For as much as the two of them wrestled and poked and punched and quipped and yelled and swore at one another and that was a lot 'cuz they were two brothers -- for some reason it was real important to me that Jeff know that the intensity of all of that craziness reflected the intensity of Doug's love for him. So being a mom, I told Jeff this... way too many times. And being a son he told me that I "tell him that every time they argue, Mom and I know that, Mom".

Unlike most of us, Jeff loved like there was no tomorrow. There's James, who created a wonderful blog in Jeff's memory --this year, Jeff spent as much time at James' house as he did at ours. There's Lauren, who held such a special place in Jeff's heart as Jeff does in hers. He had long-time friends -- Austin, an elementary school buddy and co-conspirator; Jimmy, who was like a second brother to him; friends he hadn't hung out with recently but had overnight many a time like Adryan and so very many other friends each special to him in his/her own way.

Jim, Jeff's dad, was always there for Jeff as he is now for Doug.
John, aka Jonathan, his "stepdad", loved Jeff dearly as he still does.
Jeff couldn't have asked for a more loving stepmom, Kimberley.

Jeff will always be my favorite blue-eyed boy.
I was blessed to have him in my life for almost 15 years.
Jeff touched more people in his short life than any one person could ever dream of touching in a full lifetime.

I will always love you, Jeffie.... show us all signs and make them big, we need them my love. We know you are still with us but sometimes, like this week, we forget.

Mom