"Now and Forever" by Carole King

"Now and Forever" by Carole King

This is one of my very special Joshua songs!!  We first heard it when it was featured in the movie "A League of Their Own."  Well, that was one of Joshua's favorite baseball movies, and he absolutely loved that movie!  Many bursts of laughter, and happy sounds were heard while he watched that movie - especially when Tom Hanks threw the mitt at Stillwell!!  (We had the edited version.)

Anyway, I love and treasure this song by Carole King -- she sang it perfectly and it has such deep meaning.  But then when Joshua unexpectedly passed away, and I listened more carefully to the lyrics, I realized that this song could have been written just for us!!

The words she sings perfectly capture the joy and love and purposes and blessings of my life with Joshua.  He will always be a part of me and of my family.  Joshua and I were the lucky ones because of the many joys and experiences we shared with his innocent and sweet love of every person he met.  His disability of autism, epilepsy and severe developmental delays, only added to his innocence and to his loving and friendly personality. There were many words unspoken because  his communication skills were tough and we could never have a normal conversation, but we did speak the beautiful language of love together!  Joshua always blessed my life more than I can say.  We lived ... we cried... we played ... and we loved the world together.  And I do miss, every day, the laughter, and the tears, and the joys of my life with Joshua!  And I know I will see and be with Joshua again someday.  Families are Forever!

Thank you Joshua, for lighting up my world, and the world of all of those people you met!  I love you now and forever!

Now and forever

you are a part of me

And the memory cuts like a knife

Didn't we find the ecstacy

Didn't we share the daylight

When you walked into my life

Now and forever

I'll remember all the promises still unbroken

And think about all the words between us

That never needed to be spoken

We had a moment

Just one moment

That will last beyond a dream,

Beyond a lifetime

We are the lucky ones

Some people never get to do

All we got to do

Now and forever

I will always think of you

Didn't we come together

Didn't we live together

Didn't we cry together

Didn't we play together

Didn't we love together

And together we lit up the world

I miss the tears

I miss the laughter

I miss the day we met

and all that followed after

Sometimes I wish I

could always be with you

The way we used to do

Now and forever

I will always think of you

Now and forever

I will always be with you

#nowandforever
#aleagueoftheirown

Barney the Dinosaur - A Sweet Memory!

Barney the Dinosaur - A Sweet Memory

A few days ago my Mom and I visited Brad, Joshua's friend for many, many years.  Brad was older than Joshua by about 14 years, but when he would visit Joshua, they would frequently watch Barney together.  And Brad would be so excited as he would bring Barney videos just for Joshua.  Those were good times, because both young men loved the happiness of Barney and his friends, and being together.

Well, when we walked into Brad's home just a few days ago, I immediately
heard the very familiar tunes from Barney!  I quickly walked over to the TV, and there it was, a wonderful episode from Barney and his friends!  The memories flooded back and I remember my handsome Joshua clapping and cheering and loving this very special and happy show.  

Joshua also loved to watch Barney with his best friend Mark!  In fact, I did give Mark one of Joshua's Barney videos after he died.  Joshua and Mark would also watch Bob Barker and The Price is Right.  And of course they would love these shows -- they were about laughter, fun and joy!!  

We love you Mark and Brad!