Mickey

My brother, Johnny, was something of an artist - & the thing that we all wanted him to draw for us was his "Mickey Mouse" - just Mickey's head. He'd sign the bottom of the picture with a flourish... we had tons of them.

Maybe it was because Disneyland is/was such a happy memory for all of us - one of our favorite places on earth to go together & spend time & build shared memories. Perhaps it was the Mickey Mouse pancakes that we ate at the River Belle Terrace... (which, by the way, my dad could make better & more of, for cheaper... :)

When Johnny got sick, drawing Mickey was a miniature vacation, I think, for him & for us. Throughout the illness & treatment, Mickey (along with baseball cards,) remained a way to escape the reality of what was going on, if just for a few minutes.


Here I am 18 years after his death, missing him. I regret that my 3 kids never got to know my brother personally... I am intentionally & purposefully trying to help them get to know Johnny & what he was like through stories, pictures, & the little things he liked & disliked.

And one of the things he liked, was Mickey. And when Mickey Mouse is around, it doesn't seem like my brother is so far away, & it gives me hope for the time when we'll be reunited.

Last Saturday, I got a Mickey tattoo on my left shoulder blade - because it reminds me of my brother, John Leavy Locke.

7 launchings into the blogosphere....:

David said...

Now was it so hard to get a tattoo that didn't make you look like a racist (you do have a burning cross, right?)?

It's also nice to see part of you naked.

I remember spendning the night one time and on Saturday Morning, Johnny was trying to explain to your mom how smart Ric (WHOOOOOO!) Flair was.

Unknown said...

johnny was my friend. i remember vividly the time i'd spend the night and he and i would run around like crazy men/boys.

thanks for sharing this. i love the tatt. it means something to me as well. i miss him.

laura said...

thanks for sharing:)

TimmyMac said...

Nice . . . Very nice . . .

Destro Jones said...

Cool.

RandomSue said...

Louie D - You are my friend. A real friend. For me, this means I can't hear you talk about Johnny without feeling your pain. I have cried a lot of tears over a person I haven't even met yet. I'm sorry for your pain...I know you still feel it. I'm sorry for your loss...he can't be replaced. This is a very cool and meaningful memorial to him. I bet you made him smile.

scoeyd said...

Ope- no flaming cross for me. :) Talked about one though, but that's it. And I appreciate you appreciating my shoulder blade.

Jason - thank you for the memories - I appreciate hearing from those that knew Johnny, & the things that they recall about him.

Everybody - gracias por todo...