Griffin Speaks

Dear Joni

Dear Joni:

A few days ago I received a call from Dr. Robert Gaskin. He wanted to know what he could do for the Winston family. I asked him what he was talking about? He then proceeded to tell me that he thought that I knew that you had passed in your sleep. I was devastated! He didn’t have many details so I quickly ended the conversation and tried to call Ty. He was out of town on a business trip.

As people in Montgomery, Alabama learned of your passing the community became sad and full of despair. People from all walks of life mourned. We all wanted to know why. You were 44 and such a wonderful and kind person.

I often bragged about what a great dentist you were. Just three weeks ago you finished putting a crown on my tooth. In mid July you called me and asked me to convince you to join the Capital City Club.  On July 30th I sponsored you to the club. On Friday, August 16th you brought Jillian over to my home to spend the night at Alexis’s slumber party for her 9th birthday.

Debra recalls how you said that you loved our new house. She said that you were wearing a beautiful Hawaiian shirt. You were telling her about the wonderful time that you and Jillian had in Hawaii six weeks ago.

Joni I have played over and over again the message you left on my answering machine on Saturday morning: “GOOD MORNING, THIS IS JILLIAN’S MOM. I AM CALLING TO SEE IF IT IS TIME. MY NUMBER IS 269-1223.”

My mom was devastated when she learned that you had passed. She said that she had such a wonderful time with you on Saturday when you arrived to pick up Jillian. She said that you sat down in the kitchen and talked with her for a while. When she started to clean up the kitchen you said: “MRS. GRIFFIN, I CAN’T JUST SIT HERE AND WATCH YOU CLEAN UP. I MUST HELP YOU.” My mom said that you stayed and helped her clean up until she finished.

I was finally able to reach Ty’s mom. I left a message for Dina expressing my sorrow and for her to call me if she needed anything. Mrs. Doctson was devastated and told me that they were trying to contact Ty. We all went over to your parent’s house and gave our condolences. The house was full of people. I saw Dr. Barry, Dr. and Mrs. Pinchback, Dr. Robert Gaskin, Dennis Johns, and your family members and many others.

We left the house and went to Ross Clayton Funeral Home. When we arrived I saw some of your staff members. They were all distraught. There was a line of people waiting to pay their respect to you. You looked beautiful.

On Friday, August 23rd at 12:00 noon at St. John’s AME Church we celebrated your life. I sat with Rev Arnell’s wife, Kay Underwood and the Doctson family. Debra came a little late and sat up front with the flower girls.

The moment came when your family arrived. I stood there and saw the unbearable sorrow on the faces of your many loved ones. Why Joni? Why did you have to leave us so soon?

Rev. Arnell at the very beginning asked the adults to bear with him while he spoke directly to Jillian. He left the pulpit and talked to Jillian as she sat in her father’s lap. There was not a dry eye in the church. He returned to the pulpit and told everyone what we already knew about you. You Joni were a wonderful and generous person.

At the family cemetery some of your close friends stayed behind as people returned to the church. I walked up and saw two ladies sitting crying over you. They recognized me from their days at Morehouse, Spelman and Clark. Your best friend said that she had accompanied you and Jillian to Hawaii. She said that you all had a great time. So many of your classmates from Dental School returned to celebrate your life. They all loved you.

I will always remember how I would bump into you at the Doctsons. Sometimes they would not be home and we would sit on the steps outside and talk. I will always remember what a great dentist you were. You were the only Dentist that could calm my fear. I will always remember how you treated everyone the same no matter who they were. I will always remember how you loved your family and friends.

Joni I know that you are in Heaven now, but we sorely miss you. You have found peace. You have found truth and the truth has set you free. I know that you will send an angel down to help Jillian, Jillian’s father, Jerome Bibbins, your partner-in parenting, your parents, Dr. and Mrs. John H. Winston, Jr., siblings, Gwyneth, Dina, Johnnie, Terri, your brother-in law Ty, nieces, Lindsay, my god daughter Lane, Logan, and the rest of your family and friends overcome this lost. We love you Joni. May you dwell in the house of the Lord forever?

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to www.greggriffin.com