Parents Find Healing After Loss of Son By Donating His Beloved Key Collection To Little Boy

TNT Sportscaster Ernie Johnson and his wife Cheryl lost their son Michael in October 2021. The couple found healing after donating Michael’s key collection to another little boy, healing both their hearts and knowing they were bringing joy to someone else who would cherish the collection just like their son did.

The couple shared that they have had a blessed life since adopting Michael from a Romanian orphanage back in 1991. Michael had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is an incurable disease. He also loved to collect car keys and key fobs and had a vast collection of them.

Michael Would Hold The Keys In His Lap

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“He would hold them in his lap,” Cheryl says. “And he would just want different ones on different days. 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.”

Michael passed away at age 33, joining Jesus in his red Chevy, leaving behind his loving parents and his collection of keys and fobs.”And I know it’s not him. But he held them, he loved them,” Cheryl says with tears in her eyes.

The grieving parents planned to keep his collection forever. But then, on the third anniversary of Michael’s death, Cheryl saw a special Facebook post. It was from a mom in their neighborhood looking for “car keys and/or key fobs.” She was asking for her son, who loves to collect them.

Ernie and Cheryl Were Happy To Donate Michael’s Key Collection To Cooper

Cooper Kivett is six years old and has a developmental disorder called Williams Syndrome. He owned a couple dozen key fobs of his own. “They’re something special to him,” John, Cooper’s father, says.

"Because that's something you can't just go to the store and buy,” Brittany, his mom, adds. His parents were hoping for some new fobs to add to his collection for his birthday, but they got something else entirely.

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"I just couldn't even believe it," Brittany says.

Although Michael’s collection was so near and dear to his parents, they knew what they had to do. “I know this is Michael wanting Cooper to have them,” Cheryl says.

Cooper Was Very Impressed

When Cheryl opened the bag, Cooper was impressed. “Wow!” he says. “Thank you so much,” the young boy says as he gives Cheryl a big hug. She, in return, hugs him back with the biggest smile on her face.

Although they are mourning and missing their son, Ernie and Cheryl find healing by giving Michael’s collection to Cooper. What a selfless gift to pass on. Many prayers to Ernie and Cheryl as they continue to heal after the loss of their precious son.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” - Romans 15:13

WATCH: Parents Heal After Donating Son’s Key Collection After His Death

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h/t: CBS News

Photo Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.