OlderTravolta Family: Thank You, Ocala!
John Travolta and his family sent a letter to the Ocala Star-Banner this morning via their attorney, Michael McDermott: Here’s what they had to say to their hometown of Ocala, Fla., with regards to the tragic death of their 16-year-old son Jett:
“To The People of Ocala: The enormous amount of love, support and condolence we have received from this community has been most humbling. Comforting words, thoughts and prayers of Ocala’s citizens have made an impossibly painful situation, a little less painful.
“The actions of Ocala’s community leaders, its law enforcement professionals, our neighbors at Jumbolair and its surrounding communities have offered us the dignity to grieve the loss of our son and Ella’s brother in peace. For this we will always be grateful.
“From the people who drove hours to drop off cards and flowers at our doorstep, to the service providers who made Jett’s ceremony so beautiful, thank you. Every person who we have encountered has offered to do anything in their power to help us, but add that they feel powerless to do so. We want all of you to know that you have already helped us. By sharing our grief, you lessen our burden. For all of the people who have kept Jett in their prayers, know that those prayers have given us inspiration and strength.
“What we have experienced in Ocala transcends neighborly civility. We have been treated as family. Although we lost a good part of the joy and radiance of our family, your embracing us as a member of your own has helped us to contend with our loss.
“In parting, we want all of you to cherish your loved ones and your friends like there was no tomorrow, to live your lives to the fullest by continuing to help one another, and to be true to yourselves. Love, John, Kelly and Ella.”
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38 Comments
this still makes me cry. no parent should have to bury a child. I don’t know how I’d survive. I feel so sorry for them.
You can tell that kid is cognitively impaired or autistic just by looking at him.
lops723 why dont yu go and kill yourself cause you are one worthless piece of ****.
To the Travoltas, god be with you in your loss.
Just a first class act you are John and Kelly. Having the where-with-all to write such a lovely letter to their community at this time is lovely. And that the outpouring of love has helped to sustain them is truly a gift.
As to the cretons who write about mentally challenged people in disparaging matter, there by the grace of God, go you. As a person with a developmental disability, it doesn’t render us incompentent or unfeeling, just a part of who we are. May you never have a child with a disability, or grow old, or incur a brain injury. Your lack of empathy and compassion would obviously not give you the strength to deal such a situation.
you said it susan
I agree Susan. The Travoltas wrote a first class letter to the paper thanking the community and others for making this extraordinary loss just a tiny bit less painful.
Let’s hope they don’t read the blogs since idiots like Lops723 abound. Of course, we can all tell by reading his entry that s/he is emotionally challenged.
:(
CATHY, shut the f*** up because he’s right.
And can they stop with this propaganda already?
Susan, and since you’re so knowledgeable, you would know cretin is an offensive term of abuse, that has long been abandoned because of its archaic, offensive nature towards those with the debilitating condition condition Ms. Politically Correct.
I didn’t say anything negative or offensive about him. I didn’t even use ignorant terms, I’m just saying there are rumors that he had cognitive (brain) problems, he was 16 years old and had 2 caregivers??? I have worked with kids in the past including some special needs kids and they are very distinguishable to me. Thanks for the backup Lucky L! Everyone else is just looking for insults in everything, kiss my ass.
My heart goes out to their whole family. What’s with the hostility, btw? A little respect folks…!
lops723 @ 01/12/2009 at 6:18 pm
I didn’t say anything negative or offensive about him. I didn’t even use ignorant terms, I’m just saying there are rumors that he had cognitive (brain) problems, he was 16 years old and had 2 caregivers??? I have worked with kids in the past including some special needs kids and they are very distinguishable to me. Thanks for the backup Lucky L! Everyone else is just looking for insults in everything, kiss my ass.
___
Exactly. They’re all competing to be The Internet Sweetheart. I wonder which one of them has actually worked with the disabled or mentally ill for several months actually. I have myself as well.
its so sad that people have to be as rude to others on here as they are….
ur welcome john!!!
yes , i live in O*c*a*l*a….
aww i bet travolta crys when he sees that pic of his son kissing his head. so sad. i agree with u jennifer #1 i dnt know how i wud either but i gues we all have to at some point, god gives us strength and gos wouldnt put burdens on us that we cant carry.
i feed bad for the family. and should not talk abt his disability like this its rude.
That was a very nice letter.
God bless this loving family!
I love this family. John’s career has spanned multiple decades and he keeps on going. Yes, they are scientologists but unlike Tom Crazy they choose to pretty much keep it to themselves. Regardless of their religion, THEY made medical choices for THEIR son so none of us have a right to judge. Obviously Jett was a much loved son & brother and looked happy and content. This was a terrible accident and may the huge love for Jett in the Travolta’s hearts help them bear their grief. People of Ocala: major kudos for being so respectful of your neighbors!
My condolences go out to the Travolta/Preston Family. The letter was beautiful and heartfelt.
http://www.hollywoodspotlite.com
Just reading that letter makes me cry, They are obviously very emotional, loving people. To take the time out to do that also speaks volumes. Whatever the circumstances, these people..who have entertained us for years-have lost their son…and my heart aches for them. I could not imagine that pain.
This letter is so sincere and sweet. My condolences to the Travolta family and the people of Ocala.
John And Kelly you are remarkable parents, people and courageous human beings. You are first class and you make the world into such a beautiful place when there is so much wrong with it. Your first class nature, your dignity, grace. Just a complete package and we all need to remember your family for being so beautiful. I am truly sorry on the loss of Jett, I am so happy that you had 16 beautiful years with him. There is a writer named Gary Zukov who would remind us of how wonderful and precious he was. He was so wonderful, why? because we are talking about him. We may have never met him or your family, but we feel like we do know you and feel connected in spirits. So he did do his mission and that was to touch millions all around the world. His higher authentic self is what we are all feeling and bringing us to tears because why? because he meant so much to you and the love of this family is obvious. We either crave it or we too have it. We feel your pain because we see how much he was loved and how precious he was. God always bless your family. You are first class and so authentic.
I’m so happy his community is reaching out to the family. If I were there I would do the same. I just love Travolta - always have. I want him to find peace everywhere he can.
This is so sad. I love that family photo of them - Jett had a beautiful smile and wasn’t he an adorable Xerox of his old man? Ella has lost her first true friend and I feel for her too, that she will grow up without him. With love from London, UK
My condolences, he looks like a great boy. T_T
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