A Tribute for Joshua

A Mother's Love, and The Joy of A Child

Our Forum Family has always proven to be a source of great kindness and love. Thank you for being a part of this card.

With Love and Prayers, Judy,

Mistress of the Rose
Renee Kovach

January, 1998

I was so touched to receive these love-filled words for Joshua from Jeremy, his brother. Thank you so much, Jeremy, for sharing your words.

This is the second time I have tried to sit down and write this. It is really hard to do. You taught me so much about people and who I am really. Half the reason I am the person today is because of what you taught me. You taught me that everyone is special no matter what. You were so special to me. Yesterday would have been your birthday and today we would have celebrated it. Sundays will always be a special time for all of us and it was for you I know. I don't know where you are right now but I hope to see you again someday. shack your hand and tell you you're my best friend. Things will never be the same again with you gone. But I now that time spent with you will forever be in my heart. Not a day goes by that I don't think about your sillyness, your mood swings and just you, the person no one could change. You were who you were and that taught me and a lot of people to just be who they want to be. I just want you to know that I love my brother and will always.

VIGIL
by Dorothy R.
aka Rottweiler of the Rysher forum

The rhythmic creaking of the rocking chair
Shatters silence in the darkened room.
Back and forth and back again,
I sweep out semi-circles in the night
Where pain and fitful sleep
Encircle my young, first-born son.

The streetlamp through the swaying window
Catches in its light, the tarnished gleam
Of my worn wedding band
Reminding me that soon the dawn
Will dim the light
That keeps the night awake for me.
And I will sleep.

Dearest Judy,
We have shared laughter and interests. But as this poem, written when my first son was born, attests, we have also shared the deep joy /anguish of bearing and loving and raising a son. Yet I can't fathom your grief. I only know that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead has the power to comfort you and is even now whispering the truth to you -- that you and Josh will be together again forever one day. This promise is true because of Jesus, who alone has conquered death, and as Scripture says,is the only "immortal", one.

PEACE Dorothy

Every once in a while,
For a heart that's strong and true
A special child is sent
To be a teacher for you.

A child of love and laughter
Still held by Angel's Wings
Walks among us a short while
And teaches souls to sing.

To those he shows his smile
Change forever the heart
Of making this world better,
Oh! Joshua did his part!

Joshua's time is done,
To Jesus he has flown
His Angel's Wings now spread
And smiling, he has flown home.

Judy, may the strength of Joshua's love carry you, and may the loving arms of Jesus hold you close in your pain.

Renee Kovach
Mistress of the Rose

May the grief of your loss be gently bathed away by the joy of your memories and the love of all of us who care for you.

Gillian
Miss Lurker of Rysher Forum

The happiness of life is made up of little things a smile, a hug and I know you treasured those moments even more dearly because of Josh.

Kathleen Kellogg

Meeting With Angels Unaware

In memory of Joshua remember to love one another. Love sincerely and purely all in the family of God, showing respect for each one. Be fervent in faith, rejoice in hope, be patient under trial and persevere in prayer. Be generous in offering hospitality for sometimes we welcome Angels unaware. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Never repay injury for injury and always act honorably before all. Have the same attitude towards all. Put away your pride and associate with those who are lowly and if possible live in peace with everyone. (adapted from Romans 12:10)

Works of Love are works of Peace. (Mother Theresa)

Peace always,
Barbara
aka Gemma MacWench
The Rysher Forum

My heart is with the family and their friends as they struggle to understand all that has come to them in these days.

For Joshua

In Spring we feel the freshness of a cooling, cleansing rain
In Summer sunshine warms those hollows carved by pain
In Autumn flames of color pull our attentions to the sky
In Winter all God’s creatures seem to sleep

Seasons stacked together build the glory of our years
Sealed with joyous laughter, cemented with our tears
In these sacred days we cherished every gentle sigh
A son, a life, a treasure we would keep.

His eyes, wide open on this world saw more than we could see
His spirit dared to risk much more than we could be
He made the rhythm of our hearts a special song
Sung daily as we toiled here side by side.

His love, we never doubted, he brought us to this place
His whole being more than substance in an earthly space
We’ve known him well, though not for long
He showed us who we are, he was our guide.

From Lovenette MacFru
aka Beth King
September 1997
 

A lot of times the twins and I joke about me being a "Ruiz" because of all the time I spend at the Ruiz house. A lot of the time spent there includes times spent with Josh. I remember the first time I met Josh. I played video games with him even though he thought I was Mike Grix, it didn't matter. Whenever I was lucky enough to see him he gave me a big hug and a smile and usually said "What's up Mike" and whenever I think of Josh that's what I'll remember. His smile, his hugs, and his love for his three brothers but especially his mom. Those Sundays were a special time for him and you guys. I could tell just by being around. Whenever the twins and I joke about me being a "long lost Ruiz" its a joke. But I can honestly say I loved Josh like my own brother and it feels like I lost a family member. I will be here for the twins and Justin and you in whatever way I can.

Jason "J-Mac" McCarver "Ruiz"

Someone much wiser than I said:

"Love will open to you the beauty of every virtue. It will help you see in sorrow and bereavment that which you can never see unless you abide in Love. Love cannot die. All else may forsake you, but on the very threshold of death, when every ray of light is about to be distinguished, Love's ray will linger."

As you look up at the eternal stars on a clear night, may you see your son's love reflected in the brilliance of a thousand suns.

Peace and love,

Kris (AC MacFru)

Macaruin,

There is nothing I can say to take your pain away. I can only tell you that your forum family cares for you and suffers your loss as if it were our own.

Starkist / Nibblet

Have you ever noticed the way a flower seems to bow down after weathering a storm? In a way it is a touching sight. After all, the cloudburst likely sent animals and people - far hardier creations than any flower - scurrying for shelter. Yet, the flower stood there, rooted, facing the weather's full fury. Now, here it is intact, bowed but unbroken, showing a strength that belies its delicate appearance. You may wonder, as you admire it, if it will regain its vigor and lift its lovely head to the sky once more.

It is the same with people. We face many troubled times, many storms. We can no more avoid them than the flower can uproot itself and run for cover. But they can endure with faith. "You know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials the result is the ability to endure."- James 1:3

Another key is hope. "He will actually swallow up death forever and wipe away the tears from all faces."-Isa. 25:8 . "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those that did good things to a resurrection of life!"- John 5:28. Knowledge of this gives hope. And that hope in turn , gradually softens grief. It helps them to endure, and more. Like the flowers after the storm, they may lift their heads up from grief and find JOY and fulfillment in life once again.

Judy and Josh, may you both be like the flowers .

Dominique "GT"

Dear beloved parents of Joshua,

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish I could say the pain will go away, but only those of us who have buried a child know it never does. They were supposed to bury us, and the reverse is unthinkably cruel. But reality reigns and we are left behind to accept our fate and their's. The pain never goes away, but in time it does become more palatable, and is genuinly abated by all those who gather around us, wishing us to feel better, giving us strength and resilence through their loving support.

Wishing you some relief from your sorrow

Forum name of Molly, really Terry Lind from St.Paul, Minnesota

Judy,

Know that so many of us are keeping you in our thoughts. May this tribute and support of your friends help lessen the pain and let you concentrate on the joy that life with Joshua brought you.

Lisa aka Canuck

My heart is with you.

Nimue

Judy,

Please remember our prayers are with you and your family at this time.

I want to share this poem with you that was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and written down by my cousin.

Upon My Death

Don't cry for me now that I go
to Heaven, it's my turn you know
My earthly life with you is done
our spiritual union has begun

Our Father now has called me home
and I am never all alone
since knowing him made me complete
my fear of death is obsolete

Please don't forget to pray for me
to the Holy Trinity
All I can do for me is through
and I will now give it to you

My will is set, my service sealed
Wounds on my soul that aren't yet healed
from unforgiveness and earthly cares
may need the salve of fervent prayers

And I, in turn will pray for you
in gratitude for all you do
to send me quickly to that place
where I first saw Him face to face

In His rich mercy and His love
He hears and answers from above
the prayers you send to Him, His way
with faith and confidence and He'll say

"My child, come inside this place"
as He greets me with His warm embrace
and I will fly to Him with a kiss
I've waited all my life for this

The love here cannot be described
to you on earth who still reside
No broken heart of bodily pain
is too much for the joy we gain

I can now always be with you
and hand-in-hand with Jesus too
my love for you now so much greater
that I have met with our Creator

And we'll be anxiously waiting here
for the day that you appear
before His face and we will be
together for all eternity.

By the Holy Spirit by means of Marrianne

Love, Peace and Prayers sent your way, Lisa (aka HilndrLvr MacNut)

Dear Judy,

As a mother I've often felt the fear of losing one of my children. My solace has always been Christ. His strength and love is what I send to you. I can not know the depths of what you are enduring, but I can, as a sister in Christ help with carrying them. I have worked with special needs students and can honestly say that they give so much of their innocent joy and love that there is a sense that they really are angels sent to give us a glimpse of heaven. I'm happy to know that you have had a glimpse of heaven.

"Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."

Peace

Jewel Hansen (jewels of Rysher forum)