Rory Feek Reflects: ‘I Want My Wife to Be Remembered’

Joey Feek's terminal cancer diagnosis has her husband, Rory Feek, reflecting and remembering -- not only on his time with his wife, but also about a dear friend whom he also lost to cancer.

Three years ago, the Joey + Rory member writes in his newest blog post, Rory Feek's friend Tim Johnson, also a songwriter, died of cancer. The two met on Music Row in Nashville.

"He was one the greatest this town has ever seen, and he loved a great story," Rory Feek remembers. "He and I were fortunate to write some wonderful songs together -- some of them big hits on the radio. As a matter of fact, the first song I ever had recorded, the one that ‘bought’ our old farmhouse, I wrote with Tim."

Johnson was diagnosed with colon cancer, which had spread to his liver, on Father's Day in 2010. He left behind a wife, Megan, and two children when he passed away in October of 2012. Three months before he died, the Feeks invited Johnson to come on their TV show for an interview and a performance.

"Most of the time, songwriters go unknown. They write the soundtracks to our lives and then pass away with little acclaim and no applause," Rory Feek explains. "I wanted to make sure that Tim was remembered. And something told me that his song might help someone in their moment of need."

In a sad twist of fate, Feek continues, "Little did I know that in a short time, that someone-in-need would be me. And Joey. Tim and Megan’s story has become our story, and his words are now our words."

"We all want one more, don’t we? One more day … one more year … one more chance to be the person we know we should be …," Feek reflects. "Like my friend Tim … I want my wife to be remembered. By me. By others who love her even though they’ve never met her.

"I guess that’s why I write this blog. I want her sweet voice and her love to live on," he adds. "And not just outlive her … but to somehow outlive me, and our girls, and even their children."

In late October, Rory Feek informed fans, via his blog, that his wife’s first round of chemotherapy and radiation treatments for Stage IV cervical cancer did not help; rather, two quarter-sized tumors had appeared in the same area that the doctors had been treating, and several more tumors had appeared in her abdomen. In light of that sad news, the Feeks stopped all medical treatments, returned to their Tennessee farm and canceled all of their Farmhouse Concerts that were scheduled for November and December.

They have been spending time in Joey Feek’s hometown, visiting with family, friends and other loved ones, and on Nov. 9, Rory Feek revealed that, after an emergency hospital visit, his wife would be entering home hospice care. In his newest post, Feek shares a sweet moment that happened early on Thursday (Nov. 12).

"A walker with wheels and a seat was delivered here yesterday, and when we pulled it out for her this morning, Joey just laughed and said, 'I can’t use that … it’s for old people.'  Then she grabbed the handles and pushed herself out of the room," Rory Feek writers. "When she reached little Indiana playing with toys on the living room rug, she said, 'Come on Indy, mama will take you for a ride.' So I helped Indy onto the seat, and Joey pushed her across the living room, through the kitchen, around the island and table, and back to her toys. Indy grinned ear-to-ear, and so did we."

Feek concludes, "... as I sit beside my wife, I remember my friend Tim and his life and what an inspiration he was to me, and how his words and music are helping get me through this time and speaking to me just when I need them. And someday, when your moment comes with someone you love …  maybe, just maybe, you will remember Joey and her words and voice and life will comfort you … And her song will live on."

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