Life Sketch of Joshua by Aunt Julie

Life Sketch of Joshua Michael Eisenstat

As given by Julie Larson Thomas

“. . . but most of all saying ‘hi hi hi and giving hugs, 

high fives and handshakes to every person he passed”

* * * * *

Joshua Michael Eisenstat was born January 26, 1983 at 11:45 a.m. in Burbank Community Hospital in California to Michael and Selma Eisenstat.  Joshua weighed 5 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 inches long, and was a perfect handsome baby boy.

Joshua returned to his Heavenly Father on October 4, 2005 at 4:20 p.m. in Utah Valley Regional Medical Center from unexpected heart complications.

Joshua loved the school bus!

Joshua immediately captured the hearts of all those who surrounded him, and was even considered chubby for his first couple of years.

Joshua began attending special education schools at age 3, and was diagnosed with autism, developmental delays and hyperactivity.  And then in 1999 he began having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy.

Joshua attended school from the age of 3 to 21, and then work programs from about age 18 to September of 2005.  He attended special education programs at Lowman, Jordan Valley, Dan Peterson, and also attended regular and special education classes at East Elementary School in St. George, Valley View Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, American Fork Jr. High School, Pleasant Grove High School and Provo High School.  He attended work programs at ATEC, Life Skills and Danville.

Joshua jumping to the cheers of students
as he received the Athlete of the Month
award at Pleasant Grove High School

Some of Joshua’s school awards were:  

• Friendliest, 
• Athlete of the Month, 
• Student of the Month, and 
• Certificate of Completion from Pleasant Grove High School.

Joshua’s Church highlights include:  

• Baptism on February 6, 1993, 
• Many Scouting Awards, 
• The Duty To God Award, 
• Sacrament Meeting Greeter (which included shaking hands and giving and throwing programs), 
• Hymnbook Distributor; 
• Graduation from Seminary at Pleasant Grove High School; 
• Attendance at the Special Needs Mutual for over 6 years, and
• "Speaking" in numerous Sacrament Meetings.

His sports highlights include:  

• Spotlight article in the Utah Special Olympics Newsletter;
• 2001 Central Area Family of the Year for Utah Special Olympics; 
• Articles in the Pleasant Grove Review, Deseret News and Daily Herald; 
• 7 Orem Recreation T-Ball Trophies or Medals; 
• 2 Pleasant Grove Soccer Medal; and
• Numerous Special Olympics Medals and Ribbons.

1998 Orem Adapted T-Ball Player

Joshua’s Favorite Hobbies were:  

• Watching Barney, 
• Game show and baseball videos; 
• Playing Wheel of Fortune and Backyard Baseball on the computer; 
• Playing T-Ball, the trampoline, bowling, swimming, basketball and soccer; 
• Riding the two-seater bike with family and neighbor kids; 
• Playing at the park; 
• Throwing rocks in the river; 
• Family reunions at Zion National Park and Pine Valley; 
• Taking drives in the car; 
• Eating McDonalds cheeseburgers, fries and root beer; 
• Throwing balls, water bottles, toys and even chairs out of cars and over fences; 
• But most of all saying “hi hi hi” and giving hugs, high fives and handshakes to every person he passed.

Joshua received an honorary lifetime Mission Call in 2002 from Bishop Brent Palmer of the Grove Creek 8^th Ward to serve in the Pleasant Grove Utah Mission.  Joshua fulfilled his mission every day of his life and will continue to serve in Heavenly Father’s kingdom. . . .

And then Julie read two poems.  One written by his Aunt Debbie Anderson in 1997 when Joshua was 14, and the other written by Julie in 1994 when Joshua was 11.

Joshua with Aunt Debbie in 1997

A POEM FOR JOSHUA

by Aunt Debbie Anderson (Michael’s sister)

Written in December 1997

I call him the “Crazyman”

Though only 14

He lives in his world ….. also in ours

Frustration and hugs go hand-in-hand ….. challenges are daily

Some folks say, “what a good boy, look at him play”

Not really seeing the impact he makes

Love is abundant where he resides, safe and secure; unlike his own mind

Wild and frenzy the “Crazyman” is, loving and living as best he can

Our eyes say what he means to us

Our “Crazyman” who’s only 14

Sings us a song of love

This poem is called “Joshua.”  I [Julie] wrote this poem in 1994, when Joshua was 11.

still the child

he was nine years ago

playful as a puppy

Joshua and Julie ... close to age 11

loving as the home he grew up in

excited as anyone on Christmas

jumpy as a touched frog

he has an endless supply of hugs

and wet kisses, too

he still needs the protection

of a baby

a toddler

a small child

he learns slowly

but remembers everything

he can answer the phone now

say the ABCs with help

count to ten

pray

he's a racecar

when he runs

up and down stairs

inside, outside

downhill, anywhere

sometimes in control

sometimes not

and his skinny little body pays for it

he calls me ju-e

and that is more

beautiful

than anything

i've ever heard before

in prayers, he'll bless everyone

two or three times

he doesn't know

we are already blessed

to have him

I love you Joshua.  And I will always miss you.

And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.