Memorial Day
I was very worried about how I would feel on this day. It's my first time back to the cemetery since the funeral. My husband had been back and warned me that it would be very difficult. I was fine until we pulled into the cemetery, and then I started feeling it.
But as we pulled up to the corner where Joey was buried, I saw a horde of boys mulling around. I wondered what in the world they were doing there, and then I realized I knew them. They were the young men Joey had befriended in our old ward. I wasn't sure how I felt to see them there. I was prepared for a more private moment.
As soon as we got out of the car, they came over and hugged Brett and I and started playing with Jimmy. Pretty soon playing turned into rough housing and they were sprawled all over the grass, moaning and groaning in fake agony. I couldn't help myself. I started laughing. It's exactly what Joey would have wanted, and I wonder if it wasn't him that prompted Sister Ivie to load those boys up in her car and bring them over to the cemetery. It was loud and happy, just the way it always was when they were at our house. Those are some of my most favorite memories of Joey: the sounds of boys running around in my backyard.
So, Joseph, thanks baby for sending your friends to comfort me. It made me happy instead of the sadness I was prepared to feel, and I know you never liked to see me cry. I love you, handsome!