Joshua's Best Friend

Mark Gudmundson -

“My Best Friend”

“So next came the kissing sound.  His mother asked, ‘do you love Joshua?’

‘Oh Ya!’ he responded.”

(Mark Gudmundson)

We met Mark Gudmundson, and his mother Martha, in our first week at church in our new home in Pleasant Grove, Utah.  Mark was six  years old at the time and his handsome face and huge smile radiated such light from his severely disabled body, which was confined to a wheelchair.  Martha warmly greeted us and introduced her and Mark.  Right at that first moment of introduction, Joshua, already tall and skinny at age 12, leaned right over Mark and gave him a big kiss right on the top of his head.  Mark immediately giggled with excitement, and both boys were immediately bonded and from that moment on became best friends.

Mark and Joshua loved to watch some of their favorite shows together, Barney the Dinosaur, and The Price is Right.   It was always a heartwarming moment to see these two handsome boys, with two very different disabilities, communicating through smiles and laughter as they thoroughly enjoyed being together.

Mark and Joshua loved to watch videos together.  We always found it very interesting that they had such similar tastes in their videos.  However, when Mark was laying on the floor watching his favorite programs, Martha and I would often have to closely watch Joshua.  Joshua would get so excited at a prize won on The Price is Right or a favorite moment on a Barney video, that he would clap, laugh and jump up and down, often very, very close to Mark’s body.  I remember Martha laughingly and lovingly shielding Mark, who was also laughing, from the excitement being expressed from Joshua’s out-of-control body.

I can also remember vividly a particular visit at the Gudmundson’s when Mark and Joshua were both sitting on the couch.  Suddenly Joshua leaned over to Mark, pulled him over in a great big bear hug, and completely covering his face with his long body.  We didn’t let the hug last too long so that Mark wouldn’t be completely smothered by the love Joshua was sharing with him.

Mark and Joshua shared some very special experiences.  The memories of t-ball, with these two special young men, bring many smiles and giggles.  They loved being on the same team.  Mark always had too many helpers ready to hold his hands and help him hit the ball, and push his wheelchair while running around the bases.  And Joshua had his unique rambling run, and always gave high fives to teammates and spectators.  With their very different disabilities, the same ability was the same, happiness and love emanating through their bright smiles and laughter.  One always felt better after being with Mark or Joshua.

            Our family also sat right in front of Mark’s family for many years during church.  We found that Joshua was not as disruptive at church if he sat on the very same row week after week.  We chose the row right in front of the Gudmundson family.  I know that Joshua and Mark entertained each other through their smiles and giggles we could hear throughout the meeting.  We especially loved the sweet memory of Mark turning 12 years old, and passing the bread and water to our rows.  Although Joshua couldn’t express this, I knew he was very excited and happy for Mark for this great privilege and honor he performed so beautifully every week.  These were special times, and I will always miss sitting in front of the Gudmundson family during church.

            One birthday, Martha gave Joshua a quilt made out of squares from The Price is Right.  She had made one for Mark, and one for Joshua.  This was a wonderful gift, and one Joshua enjoyed and loved so much.  What a perfect quilt – for it had a picture of Mark right in the middle, surrounded by pictures of Bob Barker!

            One Christmas, Mark gave Joshua a homemade book, with a picture of Mark and his family, along with favorite pictures of The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune and Barney.  Joshua loved to “read” his new book.

One day after Joshua’s death, Mark had a very special experience with his best friend, Joshua.  Here is what Martha shared with Bishop Brent Palmer, who shared this at Joshua's funeral.

“A Visit From My Best Friend”

by Mark Gudmundson

 It was the evening of Wednesday, October 5^th 2005.  One day after the passing of Mark’s best friend Joshua Eisenstat.  Mark was sitting next to his mother on the side of the bed and turned his head strongly behind him to look into the hallway.

His mother asked him if someone was there?  He said, “oh ya”.  This was not an unusual question to ask because Mark’s grandparents passed away this very same week several years before and heavenly visitors we know are always close by him.

“Is it Grandma?”  He shook his head no.

“Is it Grandpa?” He shook his head no again.

“Is it Joshua?”  “ya”

“Well, tell him ‘hello’ “, his mother said.  Mark responded with a “hi” which was what Joshua would always say.  He laughed as if Joshua was saying something funny to him.  Mark  has limited speech and [kissing sounds] is how he communicates the words I love you.  So next came the kissing sound.  His mother asked, “do you love Joshua?”  “Oh Ya!” he responded.

Mark, Martha, Gordon and Chad have been our inspiration and close friends.  I cannot express the blessing and joy that have come from such wonderful and special friends.  I know that as I am able to see Mark through the years, the sweetness of his friendship with Joshua, and our friendship with the entire family, will always bring peace and joy.

            I have a beautiful basket of autumn flowers, with a ribbon woven through it with the words “My Best Friend.”  These flowers were delivered shortly after Joshua passed away, from Mark, and serve as a very special reminder of the love and friendship between two wonderful young men, Mark Gudmundson and Joshua Eisenstat.