Meeting Joshua for the First Time - Logan

Meeting Joshua for the First Time

Logan Williamson

This month of October, a month of sadness and grief, I love to reflect on the many happy experiences that show the various aspects of Joshua's personality and also show the greatness and immensity of Joshua's heart.  Some experiences are funny, some sweet, some confusing and many so unique and memorable!

My son Jacob and I drove to St. George last weekend with his friends Logan and Jackie Williamson.  Logan talked about the first time he met Joshua!  He was about 10 years old and had come over to ask Jacob to play.  Well, Joshua answered the door, and stood there at 6'1" with a protective helmet on his head.  Logan asked Joshua if Jacob could play.  Joshua said nothing and immediately shut the door in his face! 

Logan said that I then quickly opened the door, apologized as Joshua didn't understand, and then let him play with Jacob!  Logan was one of Jacob's many friends who loved Joshua, who understood him, played with him and made him happy.
 

Thank you Logan!

Brothers and Best Buddies

Joshua and Jeremy

Brothers and Best Buddies

Thank you Jeremy ...

for being a kind, loving, understanding brother to Joshua

and for your sacrifice, laughter and love you gave to him every day. 

Some of your favorite things together:
Sharing your birthday
Creating havoc together
Throwing rocks in the river
Cruising in the car
Meeting cute girls
Joshua at your hockey games
You at Joshua's t-ball games
Every day family life
Sharing your hockey stick so he could hit balls down the hill
Sharing a room for 19 years
Joshua looking over at your bed to make sure you were there
Watching Joshua's favorite videos
Joshua yelling "Jeremy Bruder" across the Chapel in Sacrament Meeting
The trampoline!

Your selfless service through bathing, diapers, and many other self-help needs
Making him laugh!

You brought him joy every day!

These pictures say so much!
He loves you!!

My 2 boys - both born on January 26th - two years apart!

Joshua, age 3 and Jeremy, age 1
They were just too fun!

Brothers creating havoc together!

One of my adventures at Zion National Park!

Disneyland!
Joshua threw a little girl's stuffed animal into Tom Sawyer's Lake...
We were able to get help and retrieve it!!

One of my "first days" of school!

Zion National Park - Jeremy helping Joshua have fun!

Brothers Forever ... such a typical sight!

Sharing and Caring!

Jeremy understood his unique ways!

Pleasant Grove High School Graduation
Jeremy received his High School Diploma
Joshua received a Certificate of Completion

Pleasant Grove High School Graduation -- Brothers!

St. George before Jeremy's Mission to New Zealand!

Funeral Talk by Jeremy - Brotherly Love

Funeral Talk by Jeremy
October 8, 2005

Joshua is my special brother. He always has been and he always will be. His passing away was very sudden and unexpected. It was difficult for me to hear the news as it was for everyone. I really wish I could be there, but I'm needed here. [Serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New Zealand Wellington Mission.]

I want to say some things about Joshua that I have been thinking about. He was and is the best big brother that anyone could ever ask for. For 19 years we slept in the same room, we grew up together, we played together and I've heard stories about when were really young and we somehow caused a little bit of trouble together. I'll always have the memories of him laughing and smiling and saying his little funny phrases that everyone loves to imitate. I loved watching him hit rocks with hockey sticks, except when he got ahold of one of my nice $200 sticks and smacked it on the street. I loved watching him tear his shoes apart while riding down neighbors' driveways on skateboards. I loved watching him play sports. I've never ever seen someone as skinny as he was, hit a ball so hard off a tee, and then throw the metal bat to first base, and then not want to go to first base. I loved when he would take a drink, and mix it with another drink, and then drink it and look at us waiting for us to make him laugh while drinking it and spilling whatever the drink was all over the floor. I'll miss giving him hugs and high fives. We often told a little joke about how he has been acting his whole life just as an excuse to hug and kiss every young lady that he sees. Not many people can do that and get away with it. Maybe someday I can be as smooth as Joshua. I've never seen anyone work a VCR like Joshua did. He loved his movies and tapes. If it weren't for Joshua I probably wouldn't be the only 20 year old guy in the world who knows every Barney song by heart. I think my most memorable memory of Joshua was when me and Uncle Doug were giving him a bath. We stood Joshua up to wash his legs and Doug was holding onto him while I bent down to wash his knees, and all of the sudden, I felt something wet trickling on my head!! As you can guess, my big brother pee'd on me. I threw my shirt of and stuck my head under the shower while Joshua and Doug were just cracking up. It was funny. These are memories to last a lifetime. I wouldn't be surprised if, at the end of my life when I meet up with Joshua again he will say, with his arms out, "Wa Hapn?" My heart hurts because of the loss of my special brother, but I also rejoice in the fact that he is free. He is normal. He is no longer tied down to his disabled mortal body. He no longer has to endure the pain of his seizures which were unbearable to watch. He is happy and he is watching out for all of us. He touched literally thousands of lives. I know he is where he needs to be. I know that I will be able to be with him again...forever! This is made possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that Joshua has been taken home to God where he belongs. How comforting it is to know that. Joshua is in Paradise. He is gone from this challenging and confusing world. I have felt the Savior's love very strongly as I've prayed and also pondered about Joshua boy. He is special and always will be. I love him and miss him. He is a best friend to me. I want to thank everyone who has helped Joshua, or who has even just given him a high five. I'm so thankful for the love that everyone has for this special boy. The Gospel is real and I know we will all see him again. I love you Joshua. In the name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Janson Eisenstat, Missionary, Brother and Friend

Elder Janson Jeremy Eisenstat

Missionary for

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 On September 10th, my youngest son, Janson, left to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Michigan Detroit Mission.  Saying bye to him was extremely hard and emotional.  But it was also brought such joy to my heart to see an 18-year old boy leave to give of himself to love, serve and teach the people of Michigan for two years!

I think of Janson and his special bond to Joshua.  Joshua was 12 years old when Janson was born, and at that time I had three children in diapers - a newborn, two-year old Jacob and 12 year-old Joshua!  It was quite a busy and overwhelming time in my life.  But I cherish and love that time too!

Janson loved his big brother Joshua so much.  Even at his young age he understood Joshua's various disabilities and challenges and loved him, played with him, served him and included him.  I loved Janson's strength and pure love.  I know that he will take this experience and many others to help and bless the lives of others who need understanding, perspective, love and guidance.

I also know that Joshua will be watching and helping him from above.  He is our guardian angel.