Pine Valley 2005 - Joshua's Last Family Reunion

Pine Valley 2005

Joshua's Last Family Reunion



Joshua's face of pure joy enjoying time watching slides with family!

On July 21, 2014 we will hold our 10th Annual Larson Family Reunion in Pine Valley, Utah.  This will always be a sacred, sweet and beautiful place as it was the last time many of my family members would see Joshua alive. 

We had such sweet times at the 1st Annual Pine Valley Larson Family Reunion held in August 2005.  Many of the family camped in tents, but several rented a room at the lodge.  I was so thankful I had rented this cute room at the lodge with my kids to enjoy this time.  This room also had a large hallway where we watched slides at night.  This has been a favorite family tradition for years, and we love to be with my parents, with my dad choosing slides and reminiscing about favorite family moments. 

As shown in the picture above, Joshua LOVED watching slides with family.  He loved his family and loved seeing them on the big slide screen.  He laughed at funny and non-funny pictures, and he was definitely filled with pure joy!

Joshua did seem to move a little slower during that reunion.  But then again, as I thought several times, he was 22 years old, 6'1" and could actually be calming down!  His seizures and medications had also taken quite a toll on his body, and it was easy to attribute his slower step to all he had been through.

We camped, we played at the river, we ate, we took drives, we played volleyball and we just enjoyed being together.  The grandkids and some adults jumped off the metal bridge into the icy cold river water.  Joshua threw lots and lots and lots of rocks at the river.  We had to scurry into our cars during a severe thunderstorm, and our special friend Brad, got wet in his tent!  And Joshua did his usual wandering around, greeting everyone  he passed with high fives, hugs and handshakes.  We all got plenty of those during our time together.  And we loved every single one!

And one especially memorable moment came when Joshua and I were alone as we sat on a steep slope above the river throwing rocks and just enjoying being together.  He suddenly had a grand mal seizure, and it took all of my energy to keep him from sliding down the hill into the icy cold river as he thrashed and showed his aggression.  My brothers, Glenn and Mark, came soon after, and we got him through it, cheered him up, and once again, all was well.

We just didn't know that it was a final goodbye for those family members who lived out of town.  I am so thankful for this final sweet, precious and beautiful time we all had with my Joshua boy.   Especially since he was so full of joy at being with his wonderful family who loved him with all of their hearts!

Every year, and other times when we are playing at a river, we throw rocks for Joshua, and say:

 

We love you Joshua!