A Tribute to Grandpa & Grandma Larson - My Parents and Heroes

A Tribute to Grandpa & Grandma Larson

My Parents and Heroes

John & Carol Larson - My Wonderful Parents!

On December 18, 2014, my parents will have been married for 60 years!  I am forever thankful to be one of their 12 children!  They have sacrificed for each one of us, and their huge extended family through each one of their lives!  

My Parents with all 12 of my Siblings!

I clearly remember the day Joshua was born, and the excitement of my parents (he was the 4th of eventually 39 grandchildren).  I can still see my Dad sitting in the chair in my hospital room, and just chuckling with joy!  And my Mom was always looking for ways to help, to lift and bless my life as I adjusted to the demands of being a young mom.

Grandpa holding tight so Joshua won't run away!

And specifically with Joshua, they encouraged, babysat, took him places and especially loved him with all of their hearts.  Although Joshua could be very disruptive, he went to family birthday parties, vacations, reunions, and just loved to hang out at Grandpa & Grandma's house.  For years they gave us week-long breaks in the summer, until one day Joshua had some tough physical aggressions in the bank, and they got stuck and could not get him out.  At this point Joshua had grown much bigger and taller, and they had grown older.

Holding cousin Ashley!

Despite these challenges, they watched and support Joshua at school activities, special needs t-ball and soccer, Special Olympics and many other activities.  

One of our favorite family trips was to Zion National Park throughout Joshua's entire life, where Joshua would throw rocks, chairs, food and hats into the river.  We have many, many sweet memories of this.

They loved to hear their doorbell ring over and over, knowing that Joshua was about to burst in, saying "hi, hi, hi" and then immediately run happily into their backyard to play!  My Dad would jokingly hand me the Windex bottle because we knew by the end of our visit, Joshua's sticky fingerprints would be all over the glass sliding door and many other places.  

Joshua knew that Grandpa (Papa) and Grandma loved him, and this brought him joy throughout his life.  Enjoy some of my favorite pictures throughout the years!

Holding tight again at Zions!

At Uncle Doug's graduation.  Grandma took him everywhere!

More favorite moments with Papa!

A classic precious family picture watching slides.  Notice Joshua's obvious joy!

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!

A Poem by Aunt Vickie

For Joshua

By Vickie J. Larson (Joshua’s Aunt)

October 4, 2006 – One year after Joshua died

Sometimes,

the rain

drips

from our eyes

and tears

pour

from the skies.

Sometimes,

a heart

swells

with love

and souls

break

with grief.

Sometimes,

a moment

can stop

time

and a year

can feel

like Eternity.

Sometimes,

one life

fills

a family

and one mother

carries

a spirit.

Sometimes,

angels

walk

on earth

and sometimes, angels

look on

from Heaven.

A Poem by Aunt Julie

  Joshua

A Poem by Julie Larson

(Joshua’s Aunt) --- 1994

 still the child

he was nine years ago

playful as a puppy

loving as the home he grew up in

excited as anyone on Christmas

jumpy as a touched frog

he has an endless supply of hugs

and wet kisses, too

he still needs the protection

of a baby

a toddler

a small child

he learns slowly

but remembers everything

he can answer the phone now

say the ABCs with help

count to ten

pray

he's a racecar

when he runs

up and down stairs

inside, outside

downhill, anywhere

sometimes in control

sometimes not

and his skinny little body pays for it

he calls me ju-e

and that is more

beautiful

than anything

i've ever heard before

in prayers, he'll bless everyone

two or three times

he doesn't know

we are already blessed

to have him

Dedication to Joshua's Amazing Siblings

Dedication

...

In celebration of Joshua’s life

This blog is lovingly dedicated to Joshua’s amazing siblings

Who completely loved their special brother
by giving him unconditional love and sacrifice,
happiness, joy and fun
throughout Joshua's life.

Joshua had the best siblings ever!

I love you all.

And Joshua loves you all.

Jeremy John Eisenstat
(“He was and is the best big brother that anyone could ever ask for”)

January 26, 2001 - 18th & 16th Shared Birthdays

Joshua and Jeremy
2003 - Pleasant Grove High School Graduation

Jamie Donna Eisenstat

(“He is my hero because he taught me that no matter how hard your trials are,

you can still be the happiest person on earth”)

Jamie riding Joshua on the 2-seater bike!

Jamie helping & loving her brother!

Jacob Leonard Eisenstat

(“Joshua didn’t die, . . . he just started a new life in heaven”)

Jacob & Joshua ready for a bike ride with Mom!

Jacob helping Joshua to laugh!

Janson Jeremy Eisenstat

(“ . . . if he wasn’t in our family, we wouldn’t have learned about special needs
and how to help people")

Joshua loved jumping on the trampoline with Janson!

Janson helping Joshua with adapted t-ball

2003 - Our last family picture.  Families are Forever!