This blog was created as a celebration of Joshua boy’s huge heart and life and the daily adventures and blessings of raising a child with autism and epilepsy. And to give encouragement and hope for parents who are raising a child with special needs. I love you forever my Joshua boy! (Joshua Michael Eisenstat --- January 26, 1983 - October 4, 2005)
Joshua loved McDonalds! We often joked as a family that Joshua's love for cheeseburgers and french fries helped the value of McDonalds stock! And on this October 4th, 12 years since we lost our special Joshua Boy, I would like to share 12 memories of McDonalds - from his life, and also from after his death.
Joshua's Family at McDonalds 2016
#1 - Cheeseburgers out the Window! The look on a person's face when Joshua would suddenly throw his whole cheeseburger clear out the car window! And then french fries might follow! The total shock and confusion on their faces always brought a smile to our faces. But Joshua never did understand why we couldn't go back and retrieve his beloved cheeseburger! (As hard as I tried to keep the windows rolled up, I did have four younger kids in the car and windows did get rolled down quite often!) Since Joshua loved McDonalds, but loved throwing even more, this was not the only cheeseburger or french fry thrown out the window! (If they only knew how many times we really did keep the windows and doors closed so this did not happen!)
Joshua's Grandma Larson!
#2 - The coin collector at McDonalds! Joshua was always throwing whatever was in reach, and apparently there was a coin within his reach as we drove up to the McDonalds window. And sure enough, as I rolled the window down, Joshua took his precious coin, and threw it and it sailed quickly right out the window. But I was completely stunned as it landed perfectly in this little tiny opening in the charity coin collector. We could not have done that again if we tried! #3 - Joshua's love for McDonalds cheeseburger, french fries and rootbeer! I can still see his unique Joshua clap while saying "Donalds" and his excitement as I pulled into the McDonalds parking lot. #4 - Joshua's classic "mmmmmm" for yum as he would eat his meal! #5 - Joshua saying "hi, hi, hi" to everyone inside McDonalds! (But I had to watch him really close or he might steal someone's french fries!!
Cousins Ashley, Hunter & Ellie at McDonalds!
#6 - The McDonalds workers saying "Hi Josh" as we walked in. That always touched my heart! #7 - The McDonalds drive-thru was a lifesaver for me! If we did not have time to spend inside, I was able to still pull through quickly and get Joshua his yummy cheeseburger, french fries and rootbeer! #8 - Although the drive-thru was a lifesaver, paying for our food without items thrown out the car window was still a challenge. But Joshua loved dollars and so I realized that if I gave him a dollar to pay for our food, this diverted his attention from the throwing. Although I couldn't give him a credit card or $20 bill because his throwing arm was always ready!! I loved the look on the cashier's face when Joshua would lean his long, skinny arm across me to hand his one dollar bill over, and then the confusion when I would pay for the rest! It worked, so we just kept doing it!
Joshua's Uncle Chris & Aunt Cynthia!
#9 - McDonalds playland was a favorite! Joshua loved climbing in the tubes and going down the slides even as he grew taller and taller. Well one day as I stopped at McDonalds with all of the kids after work, Joshua climbed in the slide, but he got stuck! Well I was still in a dress from work, but we could not coax him out of the slide, so there I went also, up the tube, carefully, to get my tall, skinny, handsome boy out of the tube! Ha ha ... I'm sure we had a few looks that we never saw!
Joshua's Uncle John!
#10 - 2013 - It was Christmas time and I was missing Joshua so I prayed for a Joshua moment that day. As I drove down 820 North in Provo, there was a McDonalds bag standing tall in the middle of the road. So memorable and appropriate! I couldn't help but think of a double cheeseburger thrown out the window on University Ave with nearby drivers and passengers stunned by this handsome adult young man gleefully tossing that cheeseburger clean out the window!
Cousins Kenny & Mitchell!
#11 - 2014 - Joshua and Jeremy share a birthday and I bought a McDonalds Gift Card to give to Jeremy from Joshua. I asked Janson to write a little note to Jeremy with the gift card. His words were absolutely perfect as if Joshua had wrote them himself. He told Jeremy "not to throw the cheeseburger out the window." It really is hard not to!!
#12 - Each year receiving pictures and messages of family and friends eating at McDonalds on October 4th. Some of these pictures are displayed in this post. This touches my heart more than I can say. McDonalds is the place to be! #mcdonalds
So if you read the post about ordering our food through a one inch crack in the window, you might have wondered how we managed to get our food! Stay tuned for that one. But here is one amazing throw we will always remember! Joshua loved McDonalds! And so we all loved McDonalds! We went through the drive-thru enough times that we definitely had fun experiences. But as I drove through a few weeks ago, and saw one of those charity coin collectors, I had to smile to think of Joshua's perfect throw many years ago! Joshua was always throwing whatever was in reach, and apparently there was a coin within his reach as we drove up to the McDonalds window. And sure enough, as I rolled the window down, Joshua took his precious coin, and threw it and it sailed quickly right out the window. But I was completely stunned as it landed perfectly in this little tiny opening in the charity coin collector. We could not have done that again if we tried! Just one of many fun, and sweet moments with our Joshua boy! Life was always interesting for sure!
I received kisses from heaven on my morning jog last year when I saw a bag of McDonalds in the road! I'm sure the person who threw that in the road had no idea of the sweet memories they were giving me. So thank you whoever you are. That's the 3rd time!
And now that I have run for a couple of years now, about half of the time I see a McDonalds cup, bag, or wrapper. I love this!
Thanks Joshua for your example of love to every person you would see
In trying to stay healthy, I took up running a couple of years ago. I will write more on that later. But one of my favorite things I like to do is to honor Joshua while I'm running by saying "hi" to people I pass. Most people are not expecting it, but I love to see their beautiful smiles back. Thanks Joshua for your example of love to every person you would see.
And to make it better ... the majority of the time I see a McDonalds cup, bag or french fry box on the sidewalk or on the road.
Seven years ago today my nephew Joshua passed from this mortal life at the young age of 22.
He was an autistic kid that had more love in his heart than most of us will ever experience.
He truly was an example of unconditional love we could all learn from. Here's to you Joshua... (Uncle John)
In
sweet and wonderful memory of my precious Joshua, who filled our lives with
pure love. January 26, 1983 - October 4, 2005. I miss him every day, and am
sooo thankful every day to be his Mom! I finally put together beautiful and loving words from family and friends, expressed when I shared some words to a song that says so
much about my journey with Joshua ...
“Now and Forever” by Carole King
Now and forever, you are a part of me
And the memory cuts like a knife
Didn't we find the ecstasy, didn't we share the daylight
When you walked into my life
Now and forever, I'll remember
All the promises still unbroken
And think about all the words between us
That never needed to be spoken
We had a moment, just one moment
That will last beyond a dream, beyond a lifetime
We are the lucky ones
Some people never get to do all we got to do
Now and forever, I will always think of you
Didn't we come together, didn't we live together
Didn't we cry together
Didn't we play together, didn't we love together
And together we lit up the world
I miss the tears, I miss the laughter
I miss the day we met and all that followed after
Sometimes I wish I could always be with you The way we used to do
Now and forever, I will always think of you
Now and forever, I will always be with youabout our very unique and wonderful life together. I
love you my Joshua Boy forever!
“Now and Forever” by Carole King
Now and forever, you are a part of me
And the memory cuts like a knife
Didn't we find the ecstasy, didn't we share the daylight
When you walked into my life
Now and forever, I'll remember
All the promises still unbroken
And think about all the words between us
That never needed to be spoken
We had a moment, just one moment
That will last beyond a dream, beyond a lifetime
We are the lucky ones
Some people never get to do all we got to do
Now and forever, I will always think of you
Didn't we come together, didn't we live together
Didn't we cry together
Didn't we play together, didn't we love together
And together we lit up the world
I miss the tears, I miss the laughter
I miss the day we met and all that followed after
Sometimes I wish I could always be with you
The way we used to do
Now and forever, I will always think of you
Now and forever, I will always be with you
wow,
what a cute picture of you and your precious Joshua, He left a big hole in all
the hearts that he touched and changed! Happy birthday Joshua, you are so
missed
I
have always remember Joshua! and when he would come out of the nursery in
N.Hollywood 3rd Happy to see you picking him up. I love this picture of you
both. It puts more meaning to the saying!"You've Got An Angel On You
Shoulder"! Take care.
Love
that Selma! That pic brings a smile to my face when I see it. It reminds me
when I would watched him and you'd come and pick him up he would want that
piggy back ride to the car. What a boy! What memories...
I
have been thinking about you the past couple of days and remembering our last
time with Joshua getting him into the car to go to the hospital. He must have
been in pain but he still had a smile and little high five, thank you for
sharing him with all of us and letting us have an opportunity to serve him. In
serving him we served Christ and through him we felt Christ's love. Thank you
for bringing that blessing to all of us. Love you Selma, you are such an
amazing person. xoxoxo
Selma,
Joshua boy is very blessed to have you for his mother. I know you loved every
second of his 22 years. I was always in awe when I saw your loving care for
him. You were blessed with amazing qualities. He sure made our Larson family
parties lively, didn't he? I miss our get togethers. I love you and all your
kids. Have a great day! xoxo
One
of my favorite memories of Joshua is watching him (with unrestrained glee) push
his big green tractor down the hill - unmanned........ and then realize
"hey, I just pushed my big green tractor down the hill - unmanned.... and
now its gone :-( It was never gone long before a kind soul would bring it back.
Aaaahhhh - I do miss him! Love you, you're awesome!!
I
love the many, many memories from each of you. He LOVED everyone! And you all
make this day so special, and so tender, and I'm so thankful for amazing family
and friends (and strangers too) who loved Joshua so much and brought him great
fun and joy!
Selma
you just had me in tears. I have loved that song for a whole different reason
and when thought of for you and Joshua it has a whole different meaning. I
loved your son and am so thankful that I got to spend a couple of brief years
as his teacher. His life is such a bright remembrance. Thank you for
brightening my day!
Just
the thought of Joshua sitting on my porch waiting with his Barney tape or
throwing things out the car window brings a smile to my face. I miss his warm
and loving hugs and high fives. Have a wonderful day knowing how blessed we've
been to have him in our lives!
I
loved it when he liked to go for a ride in my car and when he would blow me a
kiss! I love Joshua and you! Two amazing people that have made so many peoples
lives better :)
It
truly is! I remember your video of Joshua and you used this song. It still
brings tears to my eyes and puts thoughts of your beautiful video of Joshua
when I hear it to this day.
This
song always makes me cry, but only because of Joshua!
Connie
Jo Pettis
I
always think of Joshua. He was the first baby I every held. You didn't panic
when I told you. I love him and all your family. Love you so my dear friend.
Nancy
Thompson
So
sorry to hear of the loss of your Son Selma. I'm sorry i didn't get to know
him. Hugs to you xoxo.
Bonnie
Workman
Selma
I remember our Joshua boy. I remember hiding around the corner to see how he
did when he got off the bus to go to the Hansen Planetarium with his school. He
is a doll and the picture says it all.
Love you Selma! I always think of Joshua this time of year! I miss the High 5's, "where's Selma" and his giggle!! He didnt weigh very much but could give me the biggest squeeze when he gave hugs.. I remember being at church one day and he pulled me onto his lap to hug me.. His strength took me by surprise. I also will never forget the beautiful experience in the temple on the 1st anniversary of his passing. One of the best days of my life in more ways than one. You are amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart! Love you!!
Love you too Whitney! I cherish each of those experiences also. I went to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple yesterday and thought a lot about your wedding day, which is a very cherished
Selma, We Love you guys so much and we were all thinking of you , your family and your sweet Joshua:) I always chuckle or happy cry when I think about when he picked up a fly, and I think about the story were the wasps or bees I don't remember witch didn't sting him in Debbies playhouse. I think that he not only had guardian angels but that the wasps or bees and flies knew he was harmless and that he was their friend.
Thinking of you today and loved being reminded of the wonderful ways in which your Joshua touched all of our lives. Hugs, high fives, and handshakes! Love you!
One of these days I'm going to go to TACO BELL in honor of Joshua. I'll never forget the time we went to Taco Bell, and every once in awhile, food was just fly out of the booth!
I was thinking about the grandkids and great-grandkids who have come down since Joshua went up to heaven. I believe he sent them down with a hug, a high five, and a handshake! Sierra Ruby must have been with him just days ago!
Seven years ago today, my big brother Joshua passed away. He was such a blessing and example to everyone who knew him. You will always be loved. I miss you buddy.
reading your shared photos from Jacob and Jeremy, brings back memories that we have of Joshua, and tears to my eyes. He was a wonderful young man, and it has been interesting to see simular behaviors in our Kanu. Love you Selma and your family.Bottom of Form
This might not make sense if you haven't met my nephew Joshua. For those that have, enjoy! Miss ya, Joshua Boy. — with Selma Anna Van Buren and Jamie Eisenstat.
This video is too amazing, precious, funny, beautiful, awesome, goofy, joyful and wonderful!! Joshua loved his bumpy rides! This video is priceless and I will watch it again and again. And even more priceless to hear him call "Jamie!!!"
We went to McDonald's with Thomas and James and told them all about Joshua. Then we came home and watched this video and Thomas asked, "Why isn't he throwing french fries out the door?"
Thinking of Joshua today!!! We love and miss him! I'll be forever grateful that he "approved" of me the first time he met me:) We'll be talking about him with the kids today!! :)
Seven years ago today my nephew Joshua passed from this mortal life at the young age of 22. He was an autistic kid that had more love in his heart than most of us will ever experience. He truly was an example of unconditional love we could all learn from. Here's to you Joshua...
I never had the privilege of meeting Joshua. But everything I was told about him through your family and my in-laws, I truly missed out on meeting an exceptional person. Thank you for sharing his story.
I'm sorry he was taken from you so young. I guess you were blessed with only that little bit of time, but lucky to have a great example of unconditional love. May his memory make you smile. Thanks for sharing his story with us. ♥
