johnny+cade+essay+ashlyn

Rest in Peace, Johnny  Ashlyn Straughn

I would just like to extend my gratitude to all the relatives, friends, and attendees who have come today to honor my closest friend I have ever had. As some of you may know my name is Ponyboy Curtis. I have always admired Johnny. As some of you may know Johnny was a very quiet person, and preferred all the attention to be on someone else, but when he is with his friends he was maybe the loudest out of all of us! Johnny never thought of himself as needing fame, fortune, or recognition, even after he saved those kids from the fire.

Johnny had mentioned that his family unaffiliated against him. That’s not the reason, he didn’t want you to see him hurting. Inside I knew he had this deep benevolence for you (Mrs. and Mr. Cade) you just didn’t give the love back.

The last words I heard Johnny say was “Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold”. What Johnny meant was he didn’t like the fighting that took place between the Socs and the Greasers. The reason for this was, Johnny Killed Sheldon! It really wasn’t on purpose, he saved me from drowning. He killed Bob to protect his friend. As soon as that happened we ran away, to an abandon church (where the fire took place). How the fire started was because of us, we smoked and somehow it started a fire. If Johnny was here today he would have preferred the truth

Yes, I know we are all in shock, but let’s take a moment to shift our thoughts from how much we miss him to the most courageous, blithe, charismatic best friend anyone could ask for! Johnny boy, you always stayed by my side in the best of times and the worst of times. I’m still very indebted to you, and I will never forget it.

“I can’t think about that right no. if I do, I think I’ll go crazy”- quote from author Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind. I had always been interested about the book for some odd reason, when I mentioned it to Johnny, he realized he wanted to read it too. So he bought the book with the money Two-bit gave us to spend money for a week supplies of food while we were at the church. Most likely the reason why we liked the book so much was because we are very similar with the characters in the story. Just like Scarlett O’ Hara, I didn’t pay attention to much to Johnny until he was gone. Like Melanie Hamilton Johnny got injured and died. Even on his death bed Johnny asked if I could read the book to him in order to distract him from the pain he was going through.

Johnny would be missed by a lot of people here today. Just remember all the good memories you had with him instead of the bad.

We love you Johnny Boy!

From the guys