In a touching act of generosity and healing, Ernie Johnson, the well-known TNT sportscaster, and his wife Cheryl Johnson have decided to give away their late son Michael’s cherished key collection to a 6-year-old boy named Cooper Kivett.
This decision, made on the third anniversary of Michael’s passing, has brought a sense of closure and joy to the Johnson family while also bringing happiness to Cooper and his family.
Michael Johnson, who was adopted by Ernie and Cheryl from a Romanian orphanage in 1991, developed a unique passion for car keys and key fobs. Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an incurable disease, Michael found joy in collecting and holding different key fobs.
“He would hold them in his lap and he would just want different one’s on different days,” Cheryl said. “And when he got sicker, and he got on the ventilator, he even talked about the car that Jesus drives. And if you need to know, Jesus drives a red Silverado.”
On the third anniversary of Michael’s death, Cheryl Johnson came across a Facebook post from Brittany Kivett, a mother in their neighborhood, who was looking for car keys and key fobs for her son Cooper, who has Williams syndrome and loves to collect them. Cheryl saw this as an opportunity to honor Michael’s memory and bring joy to another child who shared his passion.
Ernie and Cheryl Johnson had initially planned to keep Michael’s key collection as a cherished memory. However, they felt that giving it to Cooper was the right thing to do.
“I know this is Michael wanting Cooper to have them,” Cheryl said, expressing her belief that Michael would have wanted his collection to bring joy to another child.
For Cooper Kivett, receiving Michael’s key collection has been a dream come true. His parents, Brittany and John Kivett, were overwhelmed with gratitude and joy when they learned about the Johnsons’ decision.
“They’re something special to him,” John said, noting that these key fobs are not something that can be easily found in stores.
The Johnsons’ act of kindness has not only brought healing to their own hearts but has also created a lasting connection between their family and Cooper’s.
