Joshua's Incredible Throwing Arm #3 - The Barney Tape

Joshua's Incredible Throwing Arm #3

The Barney Tape

April 9, 2005 – Letter to Jeremy

(while on his mission in New Zealand)

One of Joshua's numerous video tapes!

Jamie and I had a typical Joshua experience this week.  We were driving down Center Street in Provo.  Joshua was in the front seat holding his Barney video tape, and Jamie was in the middle seat of the van.  Well she rolled down her window for just a moment to get some air, and that’s all it took – out flew the Barney tape!!  Jamie said the expression on the guy’s face next to us was one of shock and confusion.  And then of course the tape was immediately run over by the next car, and completely destroyed.  And then poor Joshua is wondering why we can’t get his tape back!!!  I thought about picking up the pieces, but then realized that if I stopped the car and tried to do that, Joshua would throw something else out the car, and we would be in a vicious cycle.  So Jamie and I have just had to laugh about it.  Jamie said that it was an “irritating Barney tape anyway.”

Joshua's Incredible Throwing Arm #2 - His 22nd Birthday!

Joshua's Incredible Throwing Arm #2
His 22nd Birthday

January 27, 2005 – Letter to Jeremy

(while on his mission in New Zealand)

Bowling Pins given to Joshua for one of his birthdays!

 

Joshua had a fun 22^nd birthday!!  I’ve been practicing say “22” with him all month, and he does it really well, and is very cute about it.  We went bowling on his birthday and he had a great time, and then of course we went and got McDonalds.  Jacob and Janson are funny, because anytime Joshua wouldn’t go up and take his turn, they had figured out that Jacob could take the first roll, and Janson the second.  So this worked great until Janson rolled a STRIKE for Joshua!!!  I think he was wishing it was for his score, but he was a good sport about it.  One hard moment came when Jacob was playing skee-ball, with those heavy, hard balls.  And somehow Joshua got a hold of one and threw it (surprise, surprise), but it hit Jacob right above the eye.  He immediately fell to the floor and was really hurting.  He was dizzy and faint, and had to lay there a while.  It was hard though because there was still about 7 of those balls left, and Joshua was still ready to throw some more, so I had to hurry and roll them down the lane, while telling Jacob I would be right there, because I couldn’t have him get hit again.  Joshua certainly provides us with memorable experiences!!  Jacob ended up being okay, but his head does hurt.


[We did not know this was Joshua's last birthday -- sweet and typical memories of our wonderful days with Joshua.]

Joshua's Incredible Throwing Arm - Daily Donuts

Joshua's Incredible Throwing Arm
Daily Donuts
 

There was something about throwing things that made Joshua incredibly happy.  There were daily experiences and too many stories to share, but I will try to share a few!

 

January 22, 2005 – Letter to Jeremy

(while on his mission in New Zealand)

A classic moment every day -- throwing his t-shirt!

Actually we had kind of a comical experience this morning.  I had Jamie, Janson and Joshua in the car and we were going through the drive-thru at Daily Donuts because Janson had the treats for basketball.  Well, Jamie and Janson couldn’t decide which kind of donuts to choose, and because my window was already down – of course Joshua threw a couple of things (a water bottle and mini football) out the window.  The cashier was just smiling and trying not to look too shocked.  I was able to get the water bottle, but we couldn’t find the football (all while trying not to have him throw anything else), and then of course he gets agitated and aggressive.  And then I noticed the gentleman that was waiting in line behind finally back his truck up, park and walk in.  I think he was tired of the “fiasco” going on in front of him – probably confused too.  Thankfully, we finally got our donuts and went on our way. 

License Plate Fun

License Plate Fun

He would drop a plate, break it, and if you saw him, he would say “Wa hapn” with a look of innocence

that he really didn’t know and he wanted you to tell him.

My youngest brother, "The Uncle Mark" started the legacy of personalized license plates with his first license plate.  Joshua could not talk very well, but we all loved hearing his special phrases.  One of the most popular was "Wa hapn".  The translation of this was "What happened."  As my brother Mark said in his funeral talk "He would drop a plate, break it, and if you saw him, he would say “Wa hapn” with a look of innocence that he really didn’t know and he wanted you to tell him. 


Of course my very favorite phrase was "Where Selma."  To hear this phrase countless times a day brought joy and fun into my life!  Joshua used it appropriately while he was at school, while I was at work, etc.  But he also would ask family and friends "Where Selma" the second I walked out the door.  He would ask strangers in the store when I was standing right beside him.  He just needed to know where I was.  And I loved this so much!  See an earlier post at: http://joshuasheartfullofhugs.blogspot.com/2014/03/wheres-selma-my-favorite-phrase.html


 After Joshua died, I gave my brother, Glenn, and his wife, Debbie, their own plates because they loved Joshua so much, were his caregivers the last year, and they also really loved the way Joshua pronounced their names.  To make it even funner, when Joshua attended Pleasant Grove High School, Glenn was a teacher there.  And Joshua's daily routine walk to the bus after school was to walk by Glenn's truck.  He had to see that truck every day!  So when Glenn bought a new truck, he immediately drove it to our house so that Joshua could see his new truck.  Of course Joshua just wanted a ride, looked at Glenn, and said "ride please" in his sweet Joshua way.

And Joshua loved Debeeeeee, and that is how he called her name.  He also had no concept that Debbie was about one foot shorter than him.  He knew Debbie loved him, and he would give Debbie his big Joshua hugs and even climb on her back!!  Thank you Debeeee!!!







And then my sister Vickie, surprised me by giving me her "Wa Hapn" California license plate for my Joshua keepsakes.  I love all of these plates.  There are more from Vickie, and a wall collage from Mark.  I will find those and post them too!  It was such a wonderful blessing to have a family that loved Joshua, and knew how to bring happiness, laughter and joy into his life.

In Memory of a Special Friend

A Tribute to a Special Friend

In Memory of Gary Hawes

February 14, 1939 -- May 7, 2014

The Salt Lake Tribune headlined the tragic story of Gary Hawes with the title: 
Former U-2 spy plane pilot, flight student killed in Utah crash. 

The following statements are of the same amazing man:

The Salt Lake Tribune:

He flew recon missions over Cuba, Southeast Asia in ‘70s. 

 

My own title:

He volunteered to help a boy with autism in church every time we visited

over the course of about 15 years.

 

 

Words cannot express our sorrow over Gary's sudden and tragic death.  His wife Suzan is a beautiful example of love, support and warmth.  There is no dout that when Joshua greeted Gary when he stepped into the eternities with a huge hug and high five.  And I'm sure that Joshua said "Thank you Gary ... for loving me, chasing me and laughing with me."

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57919212-78/hawes-crash-pilot-wednesday.html.csp

Living Water

My life with Joshua was full of the strength and blessing of the Living Water of the love of Christ.  My testimony and assurance that Joshua was loved and known by our Savior Jesus Christ, brought both of us strength, hope and purpose.  I love to run near rivers of living water, so symbolic of my need for water physically is a sweet reminder of an even greater need for the living water of the Jesus Christ. (John 4:14)

Grief

Here is one of my favorite talks on death and grief by Elder Lance B. Wickman, given in October 2002, titled "But If Not."  This has brought me much comfort and strength, and through study and prayer, sweet comfort and meaningful experiences. It can be found at:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/10/but-if-not?lang=eng.

I know that Joshua's spirit lives on, that Joshua is working hard for the building up of the Lord's kingdom and that I will see my Joshua Boy again and our reunion filled with sweetness and joy.