Finding Holland continued (1991 - 2005)

1991 - 2005

"Finding Holland" --- continued

So I say “Welcome to Joshua” as we look beyond the disability into the very special,

the very lovely things about Joshua.

Joshua's Senior Picture

Would Joshua be handsome?

Yes.  The light in his eyes and the love in his heart only added to his beautiful features, and made him extremely handsome.  I constantly told Joshua he was handsome, although he didn’t fully understand the meaning of the word.  But I realized how much I had told him how handsome he was when one of his teachers asked me to help him figure out what Joshua was trying to tell him.  Scott said that Joshua kept saying “hassom” to him.  I immediately smile and told Scott that Joshua was just trying to tell him how handsome he was.

Uncle Carl helping Joshua with his computer!

Would Joshua be a good student in school?

Yes.  Although academically, Joshua was not able to receive passing grades, his effort, his participation, and his excitement for school, his teachers, his classmates and his peer tutors were unsurpassed.  His enthusiastic words of “I did it” became precious words to hear as he expressed them about the smallest things that he would finally learn, no matter how long it took to learn them.  (At the time of his death at age 22, Joshua’s mental capacity was from age 2 to 6, and his IQ was not able to be measured.)  With this mental capacity, you can imagine how proud of him I was when one of his teachers called him a “model student.”  In fact, because his teachers gave him a letter grade anyway because of his excellent effort, Joshua did get college and military offers throughout his teen years, which were always a source of fun to see which school wanted to give Joshua a scholarship.

Would he excel in sports?

 Yes.  Joshua did not usually win any races physically, but he won them emotionally with his effort and enthusiasm.  Joshua’s classic “jump” across the 50-yard dash finish line, or when jumping the last steps to first base in t-ball or when throwing a gutter ball in Special Olympics bowling are sweet memories as each “jump” was a celebration of that particular race or accomplishment.  Joshua had done his best, and the cheers and hugs from all who worked with him were filled with joy and love for his victory, no matter how small to the world, it was big and sweet to us.   Also, just ask his brothers how hard Joshua can hit a small little rock, with a very expensive hockey stick, and you would definitely have to say he had great athletic ability.

Would he have good friends?

Yes.  Joshua could not carry on a conversation as we know it.  But Joshua could spread sunshine into every room he walked in.  I loved watching him at school (when he couldn’t see me) and watch as he gave hugs, high fives and handshakes to as many students as he could.  I saw him brighten the day of students and teachers who a moment before had seemed unhappy or serious.  After Joshua’s typical “hi, hi, hi” greeting accompanied by his classic hug, high five or handshake, a stranger’s faces would light up with a smile and return hug, high five or handshake for Joshua, and he would make yet another new friend.  I always loved taking him to public places, and marveling at the number of people who already knew him and would call him by name.  It was amazing.

Where would he serve his mission?

Yes.  Joshua would serve his mission in North Hollywood, California, and in St. George, Midvale, Sandy, Pleasant Grove and Provo, Utah.  He would serve his mission among family members, friends, and strangers.  And his mission became one of love and joy given as each person who knew him or met him felt of the depth of his heart as the love for his fellow man seemed to leap out of his skinny body.  Every day was an adventure.  Whether I took Joshua with him into a doctor’s office, a grocery store, the park, church, etc., we were sure to meet new people and create new and very memorable experiences.  I loved being a part of this deep love that Joshua showed to the world around him, making the world a better place every day that he was alive.

Who would he marry, etc.? 

I don’t know the answer to that question yet.  I do know that beautiful young ladies loved Joshua.  And I look forward to that answer with much anticipation and joy.

My family was truly blessed to have been given such a wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin.  We had been greetings and hugs throughout our life.  We felt Joshua give us all the love he had inside overgrown heart.  Even as Joshua developed epilepsy in his later teen years, as heart wrenching as this was, we received the blessing of sacrifice and service for a much loved son and brother.  We marveled at his attitude after suffering extremely difficult seizures as he would immediately say “hi” and his light would shine through the physical pain and suffering he had just endured.

Joshua is an amazing example to all who meet him of endurance and love through extreme trial and heartache.  The atonement of Jesus Christ lifted and showed us the blessing of Joshua.  Heavenly Father prepared the way for Joshua to have a happy life, and he did.  My heart will always be full of so much gratitude for each person that made a difference in Joshua’s life, who sacrificed in various ways to give him love and happiness.  While we served Joshua, he actually taught all who knew him, and changed people for the good and made them better. 

This blog is the celebration of the young man Joshua has become, it is the story of the positive influence he has had on his family, extended family, teachers and friends.  It is a celebration of the joy he brought into the lives of all those who come in contact with this very special boy.

And it answers the questions that were in my heart as I felt joy in my first newborn son on who he would really become and what he would contribute to the world.  My dreams were much different when he was born, and thankfully who Joshua became was much more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. 

So I say “Welcome to Joshua” as we look beyond the disability into the very special, the very lovely things about Joshua.