~Joey~

"Hopelessly drift in the eyes of the ghost again,

Down on my knees with my hands in the air again,

Pushing my face in the memory of you again.."

Untitled -The Cure

This page is dedicated in memory of the most amazing person I have ever known. Joey was my best friend, my therapist, and my superman. If I ever needed anything Joey was there for me. From listening to me whine, to making me laugh, and to saving my world. :)

Joey was born on May 2nd 1979 with truncesteriosis. That is a heart deformity which means he only had one artery going to his lungs. In order to correct the problem, when he was 2 years old the doctors took the artery from his left arm and put it into his chest. The doctors told his parents that Joey wouldn't make it to 15... he made it to 20.

On April 7th 2000 the transplanted artery burst, causing Joey's lungs to fill with blood. He was so brave. While driving with him in the ambulance he was telling me not to be scared, when he was the one with blood pouring from his mouth and nose. He said to me, "Galey, I'm sorry. Don't be upset. I love you."

When Joey got to the hospital the doctors operated to try and correct the burst vessel. They were able to keep him alive for 5 more days.

Joey passed away on April 12th 2000, just 3 weeks short of his 21st birthday.

I still have trouble believing Joey is gone. He was always pulling me to this club or that. It always seemed like he was the one running ahead. I honestly thought Joey would out live me. Joey used to say "I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to leave my family and my friends" I was scared to die but now I know Joey will be waiting from me. I'm not afraid of anything, anymore... I know I have a guardian angel like no other. That's not true actually... When I think about my life before I met Joey I can remember there being a little hole in it. Joey filled that space up in my heart like no one else could. Now that he is gone, I'm afraid of my life without him. He could always make me smile no matter what was wrong. He knew just what to say or do.

Now all I have are memories that make me smile yet cry at the same time. I am forever grateful for the time I had with Joey. He really did change my life forever. I wouldn't be the person I am today without him. Joey may have been born with a sick heart.. but he was the most good hearted person I've ever known.

My friend Scott and I were talking about how people like to say someone is "One in a million." Everyone who knew Joey knows he was one of a kind.

I can remember the first time I met Joey. I was a sophmore in High School and Joey was in my computer class. Obviously, I am gothic.. and at school I had my select group of friends. Everyone else stayed away from the "freak". One day this tall skinny preppy boy walks up to me and says "I know where you live." Now as you can guess I turned on my heels and ran down the hall. But that was just Joey.. what he ment was that his sister lived in the same apartment building as me and he had seen me there. :) I talked to him later that day and found all this out. From that day on I was hooked. To see me and Joey standing next to eachother you would never guess that we were best friends... But we were.

I love Joey so much it hurts. No one in the world knew me better than him and visa versa. We could finish eachothers sentences and know what the other was thinking without saying a word. If I could have, I would have given Joey my heart. Everyone has a friend like that in their lives... or if you don't yet you will someday. Just trust me.. never take your "Joey" for granted. Don't let things like stupid fights, signifigant others, or even parents keep you apart. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow.

Joey will always be my best friend. Death may have seperated us for now, but one day we will be back together.. partying for all eternity.