This One's for Joey


Today marks the fifth anniversary of Joey's passing.

I am determined not to spend the entire day feeling sad. I'm determined to be happy that he is at peace, that is resting, that is he is happy. I'm determined to remember that he is well and whole again.

I will instead focus on what an amazing time we had together--how we laughed, played, explored, hugged, talked, and loved one another as a family. I will remember how he led his friends in games of fun. I will remember how he stood up for his younger sister and took care of his little brother. I will remember how he begged Brett to play video games every free moment that he had. How he left items for Brett to fix on his desk because he truly believed that Dad could fix everything. I will remember how he enjoyed spending time with me and requested that I share every field trip and school party with him.

I will remember how he faced cancer with grace and how he fought with everything he had to stay with us.

I will remember the type of man he was becoming: honest, hardworking, faithful, and loving.

I will hold his memory tight in my mind and love him from a distance always keeping him in my heart.

I will whisper "I love you" a thousand times today. And I will cling to every happy memory of our time together.

I love you, Joe!

17 comments

  1. Thinking of you Jen. {{{Hugs}}}

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  2. hugs to you and your family.

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  3. thinking of you and your family today, Jen

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  4. Anonymous8:54 AM

    "They say that time in heaven is like the blink of an eye here on this Earth. Sometimes it helps me to think of my child running ahead of me in a beautiful field of wildflowers and butterflies, so happy and completely caught up in what he is doing that by the time he turns around to see if I'm behind him... I will be." - Unknown

    Thinking of you today - praying for joy.

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  5. Hugs and prayers coming your way Jen...I'm thinking of you.

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  6. Keeping you in my prayers today. God bless you!

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  7. My thoughts are with you, Jen. I appreciate this post so much because loss, especially the profound loss of someone special, can tear us apart from the inside out, and your choice to focus on happy memories inspires me.

    Thank you for being generous and sharing this with us, the perfect strangers who read your blog.

    Melissa

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  8. Very nice, thanks for sharing.

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  9. Estela10:42 AM

    Thinking of you today

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  10. Such beautyful thoughts, Jen. I hope you have a day full of love. Hugs!

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  11. Cyber hugs!!!! Give yourself permission to be sad and miss him, it's okay.

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  12. "When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight" Kahlil Gibran

    May your family and friend delight in the joy that is Joey.

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  13. I shed some tears for you all today, hopefully they left you of some pain.
    I pray for you all.
    Sandra

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  14. Sending prayers of peace and love your way.

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  15. Such an inspirational post! Wishing you only the best as you get through this day. :)

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  16. Jen- you can just absolutely 'sense' your love for your son. If I can feel it- so can he. Lots of warm thoughts to you. BIG HUGS!
    Janet

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