Joshua's Heart Full of Hugs: Happy Birthday

Showing posts with label Happy Birthday. Show all posts

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Jeremy "Bruder" Thank You!

Jeremy "Bruder" Best Buddy

Happy Birthday and Thank You!

Joshua and Jeremy are birthday best buddies and as Joshua would say "Jemma bruder." He loved looking for Jeremy and would give his classic Joshua laugh when he would find him! I loved the love and joy Joshua had for Jeremy! And although Joshua was two years older, Jeremy was the best "big" brother he could have had!

As I think of these two boys, who shared a bedroom for 19 years, and their special bond, I would like to thank Jeremy for his love, for his sacrifice, for his understanding, and for the many experiences and joys he brought to Joshua.

Some favorite Jeremy and Joshua memories are:

Taking two pre-school boys everywhere together - the park, McDonalds, swimming and more!
Jeremy's obedience and calm personality as I was usually chasing Joshua, while Jeremy obediently followed along.
Jeremy being the "big" brother even at a young age - he loved to help Joshua!
When Joshua peed on Jeremy's head when he was helping bathe him with Uncle Doug! Such innocence for Joshua, and such a great sense of humor for Jeremy!
Jeremy helping with diapers, baths, seizures and many other hard moments!
Jeremy taking Joshua "cruising" to meet cute girls!
Jeremy and his friends including Joshua at Jeremy's birthday party -- Joshua always felt so special with so many friends!
Joshua yelling out Jeremy's name in the middle of church: "Jemma Bruder!!!" And of course the classic Joshua laugh would often follow!
Joshua looking for Jeremy in the middle of the night if he would wake up. This always brought him so much comfort.
Jeremy's total understanding when a full bag of McDonalds food was suddenly thrown out on to the ice during a hockey practice!
Jeremy's heartache as he would witness and help with Joshua's tough seizures.
Pure brotherly love and more!!

And the pictures below say so much about their very special relationship. Happy birthday Jeremy and Happy Birthday Joshua. I love my boys!!!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Joshua & Jeremy -- Birthday Brothers Forever

Joshua & Jeremy
Birthday Brothers Forever ---

Joshua shared his birthday parties with Joshua and we always celebrated together.
Jeremy's friends also included Joshua in these celebrations with love and acceptance.

On January 26, 1985, at Joshua's second birthday party, my water broke two weeks early, and just under 4 hours later, Jeremy John Eisenstat was born. What a special day this was!! From the time he was born, Jeremy has been a blessing to our entire family, and a very special blessing to his brother Joshua.

Within two years, Jeremy automatically became the "big" brother as he watched over, played with, took care of and truly loved his brother Joshua. He grew up very early as Joshua's disabilities became more and more evident. This picture of Jeremy pushing Joshua in the stroller is a classic example of a younger brother serving his older brother his entire life!

Joshua shared his birthday parties with Joshua and we always celebrated together. Jeremy's friends also included Joshua in these celebrations with love and acceptance.

When Joshua passed away, Jeremy was serving his mission in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. This was the hardest phone call we ever had to make. Through much prayer, Jeremy felt the best place for him to be was on his mission. During this heart-wrenching time, he wrote this talk (link below). His inspired words give a wonderful depiction of the relationship he and Joshua shared. His love, humor and tenderness have always touched my heart. I love you Jeremy and Joshua!!

http://joshuasheartfullofhugs.blogspot.com/2013/01/brothers-forever-he-was-and-is-best-big.html

And here also is a collage of pictures of these birthday brothers forever!