As a One Direction fan that has been there for years, I am writing this article in memory of Johannah Deakin and also as a condolence to the Tomlinson-Deakin family.
(source: The Sun)
My heart goes out to the Tomlinson-Deakin crew. While I may not know the family personally, it still pokes at my heart strings. I feel this sadness as a fan that doesn't want to see one her idols go through something as tragic as this. But I also am feeling this as a person with a heavy heart and much sympathy for the friends and family of this wonderful and bighearted woman.
Johannah Deakin died on Wednesday, Dec. 7 of a severe case of leukemia that she had been struggling with since February of this year. While Johannah was the mother of a world-famous boy band member, she was also very giving. Her legacy is her selfless charity work. She gave help and love to children with terminal illnesses. One of her most known charitable works is the Believe in Magic Charity Ball, which raised millions for children with terminal illnesses. All of the guests - children and adults - got to experience the red carpet and the feeling of what it was to be princes and princesses. She was a big influence within the One Direction fandom as well, going out of her way to acknowledge them. As a way of showing their support and sorrows, these same fans have raised 18,000 pounds for the Believe in Magic charity.
Seven children are without a mother and husband is left without a wife. While two of her children are out on their own, they're also needing their mother just as much as the other five children. There are two toddlers that only have two years worth of memories of their mother Johannah. It's heartbreaking to know that they have to go the rest of their lives without really knowing who their mother was. It's heartbreaking for all of her children. While the youngest ones will be without her guidance, the older children will be without her motherly advice.
I couldn't imagine losing my mother, especially at such a young age - speaking for both her children and also her age. She was only forty-two, just shy of turning forty-three. Still so young with so much life ahead of her yet.
The fan girl part of me feels so devastated for Louis. To see someone that means the world to me go through this gets to my heart. To know that someone that I've always have seen upbeat and happy is now feeling upset and heartbroken...it doesn't feel good.
Now, let me get something straight. I'm not nearly as upset as family and friends are. I'm not treating this as if Jay was my mother. I'm sympathetic for all of them. Nobody deserves to die and nobody deserves to go through the sadness and depression that follows a loved one's death, no matter who they are. It's in my nature to feel this way...I don't like death and I don't like sadness or seeing others sad. It doesn't matter if I know them personally or not. It's a terrible thing that we all will have to go through. I've been raised to care about people and their feelings, so that is what I am doing. This is an example.
I think that it's beautiful that the One Direction fandom along with others are banding together to support and spread their love to the Tomlinson-Deakin family. It makes me think of this as the fandom being Louis' second family and giving back to him as he has always been there for us.
Rest in peace, Johannah.
(Source: instagram.com)
