It's Not Fair - Joshua & Girls

"It's Not Fair"

Joshua & Girls

Jeremy was such an amazing brother to Joshua!  But one of the things that was especially hard to understand was how Joshua could get away with hugging all of the cute girls!  One particular experience stands out when we had many of the youth from our church over for a "fireside" meeting at our house.  Annette was there - Jeremy's long-time childhood crush!  Well, just before the meeting started, I noticed Annette sitting at the end of a couch full of other youth.  Of course, Jeremy had spotted her.  But, as brothers do, Joshua also spotted Annette!  

The next thing we knew, in classic Joshua fashion, Joshua had run over to the couch and stood right in front of Annette.  He grabbed her hand and pulled her quickly up to a standing position.  He then plopped down on the couch right in her spot.  But then, the moment that only Joshua could get away with ... he pulled her right down to sit on his lap!  We can hear him now possibly saying "right here" as he pulled her down on his lap.  It was so hysterical.  

Joshua was in heaven.  

And Jeremy was in agony!

And in all seriousness, yet with humor, Jeremy tells me "Mom, it's not fair!"  

Brotherly love ... even in moments like these!

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!!!

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!

Me with my two beautiful boys!

Just the beginning of a special brother bond!

Grandpa Larson (my dad) with Jeremy & Joshua

Jeremy & Joshua at Disneyland -- Joshua had just
thrown a child's stuffed animal into Tom Sawyer's river!

Jeremy - always served and loved his brother!

Joshua & Jeremy - more brotherly love!

Me, Joshua, Jeremy & Jamie at the St. George Temple...
just the year before Joshua died.

Joshua & Jeremy ... the picture says it all!

Joshua & Jeremy's Graduation Day from
Pleasant Grove High School.  A special day!

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.