Picture Memory of the Week 1990 - The River - Our Second Home!

Picture Memory of the Week!

The River - Our Second  Home!

Joshua, age 7

By age 7 I knew that Joshua absolutely loved the river!  This was his own little heaven, and thus it was mine too!  He was so happy because he could throw rocks for hours, and hours, and hours into the river.  We just had to make sure that no one was playing in front of him, and that there were no other tangible items in sight because then they would be in the river with all of the rocks!

I was really amazed that there were even rocks left with the amount of times we spent on the banks of our favorite rivers.

Even up until a few days before he died, Joshua was still throwing rocks into the water.

Many days I just go and sit at the river, and remember those sweet and wonderful days.  Doug's kids are awesome because we will throw rocks in the river together, and as they throw a rock, they will call out "I love you Joshua!

I love you my handsome Joshua boy!

Picture Memory of the Week - 1986

Picture Memory of the Week

My Handsome Joshua Boy - 1986

Because Jesus Christ Lives ...

Because Jesus Christ Lives ...

Four Generations - 1983

Because Jesus Christ lives

I will live with my family forever:

My son Joshua Eisenstat (died 10/4/05)

My Dad John L. Larson (died 2/25/15)

and my Grandma Selma Larson (died 11/26/84)

And I will be with all 5 of my children always!
Joshua, Jeremy, Jamie, Jacob & Janson

Our last family photo - 2004
Jeremy, Jamie, Jacob, Selma, Janson & Joshua

Families are forever!

 7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

 8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

 9 He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

Book of Mormon, Mosiah 16:7-9

#fourgenerations, #happyeaster, #jesuschrist, #resurrection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZqTRSVA1YA&feature=youtu.be

Rosebush Thoughts - Marlee DiCristofano

Rosebush Thoughts - Marlee DiCristofano

Neighbor and Friend

I came across this beautiful letter from a cherished neighbor and friend from Pleasant Grove.  I loved reading it again.  When I see a rosebush, I will think of my Joshua, and my friend Marlee, with love, joy and gratitude.

June 1, 2010

Selma,

I wanted to share something with you that brought tears to my eyes and made me very joyful.  Remember that rosebush that would never blossom for many years?  It was beautiful, green and big but never reached its full potential because it could never blossom.  I never gave up on it.  Last year it started blossoming many beautiful pink roses.  It is blossoming this year again.  I could only think of Joshua and how he finally got to reach his full potential outside of his limited body.  He can do so much amazing work from the other side of the veil.  I think of that rosebush as my Joshua rosebush.  I let it grow as high and far as I can every year.

Love you,

Marlee

Pennies from Heaven

Pennies from Heaven

So when you see coins in the road, you can know they are "pennies from Heaven" 

and smile and think of our handsome Joshua boy, having the time of his life, 

while very happily and joyfully throwing countless coins in the road.    

Joshua loved Uncle Doug!

I love flash-back memories.  I was in training last week to provide family support to adults with disabilities, and they started teaching us about those adults who "throw" things.  It will take me the rest of my life to remember all of those experiences!

But as they talked about keeping windows in cars closed, the one that immediately came to mind was when Uncle Doug took Joshua for a drive on a hot summer day.  Well, Doug's car did not have air conditioning.  I'm sure you can see this picture already.  So he absolutely had to have the windows down.

Doug had papers and lots and lots of coins all over the floor and seat.  It did not take long until Joshua had thrown every paper, and most or all of the coins all over the roads in Pleasant Grove.  To this day, Doug still does not know what papers he lost, or how much money was thrown.

The miracle in these many throwing experiences, is that not one time were we ever pulled over by a police officer.  That definitely would have been an interesting experience!

So when you see coins in the road, you can know they are "pennies from Heaven" and smile and think of our handsome Joshua boy, having the time of his life, while very happily and joyfully throwing countless coins in the road.  

Joshua and Papa - Escape into Heaven!

Joshua and Papa ... Escape into Heaven!
February 25, 2015

But now, he has escaped into heaven.  
And there is no doubt that Joshua was right there saying, "Papa, come here..."

Joshua and Grandpa at one of their favorite places - Zion National Park!
So many memories ... so much joy!

As I sat in my dad's hospital room watching him slip away from this life, I felt so deeply thankful for the blessing to have such an incredible man as my father.  He is the epitome of selflessness, hard work, sacrifice, and everything he has done has been for his wife, his children, his family, his church family and work friends.  Everything ...  

True love, at its finest!

And that makes his death that much more painful and lonely.  We always knew of his huge heart and love.  We always knew he wanted to help and be there for us.  And he and my mom were always there!  He died on February 25, 2015, just 3 days before his 90th birthday.  He leaves behind a legacy of love with his 12 children, his grandchildren, great-children and many loving family members and friends.

 And the love he has shown my Mom, their entire marriage, is inspiring, and a true love story.  He showed us everyday how much he loved his "wifie."  We always knew she meant everything to him!  In fact, we believe he hung on so long because he did not want to be without her.

His 90th birthday is on Saturday, February 28th, and we will love telling stories and examples of his love and sacrifice.  The stories are endless, they are powerful, they are full of love, and they are special!  He served in the Navy and we all love this awesome and handsome picture of my dad in his Navy uniform.

Grandpa holding Joshua ... a special bond from the start!

My Joshua and his "Papa" had a very special relationship from the day he was born.  I can still see my dad, sitting in my hospital room shortly after Joshua was born, and he was just chuckling with joy!  Papa loved having Joshua visit.  He would beam, he would chuckle.  Joshua knew that Papa loved him!!

We have hundreds of memories at Zion National Park, at the Sun Valley house, at the St. George house, McDonalds, multiple parks, and many, many other places.  In fact, Joshua would make such a mess at the St. George house that right when we would walk in, my dad would hand me a bottle of Windex and a rag.  We knew it would certainly be needed within minutes for sure!  His fingerprints are probably still all over their house!

My Dad, with sons Carl & Glenn at Joshua's graveside.

Papa was so sad, so devastated when Joshua died.  He lost his special buddy!  That very night, he and Susie watched slides of Joshua when Susie arrived in town, in the middle of the night.  He loved his Joshua!  He and I have loved to tell Joshua stories the last 9 years.  And I always cherish when he will randomly just say "I miss that boy."  I do too, every day!

Just a few days ago, as my Dad lay dying in the hospital from old age and dimentia, I called, and I talked to him - he did not say anything.  But after I hung up he said to Mom, Carl, Nancy and Ashley, "Where's Selma?"  Then Mom said he said "I saw a picture of Selma."  My Dad knew that I would need to hear that wonderful "Where's Selma" phrase.  And what a treasure that will always be.

His mental health went downhill fast.  In fact, they compared his actions to Joshua's behavior.  So many memories of Joshua doing the same things that my dad was doing. But our hearts broke at his confusion and his pain.  He wanted my brother, John, to help him escape from the hospital.

But now, he has escaped into heaven.  

And there is no doubt that Joshua was right there saying,

 "Papa, come here..."

We love you Dad and Papa!

Grandpa holding Jeremy and Joshua - Joshua is about to escape!

Joshua and Grandpa on the Narrows Hike in Zion National Park
We have been on that hike countless times!

Joshua being silly, and Grandpa looking on with joy!

Joshua and Grandpa at the beginning of the Narrows Hike at Zion National Park.
Jeremy is holding Jamie's hand behind them.

Grandpa helped Joshua on a flight to St. George, Utah.
This was no easy task -- this would not have been one of the quieter flights for sure!

Joshua and Grandpa at Zions National Park.
It really was a favorite place!

Grandpa, Joshua and friend Brad Barnes at Zion National Park.
Joshua's legs must be tired, but he still loves it!

Grandpa and Joshua both have legs that are more tired as time goes on.
Littlest brother Janson is helping to push Joshua's wheelchair!

Grandpa and Joshua enjoying the Virgin River at Zion National Park.
This is one way to rest tired legs -- just sit and throw rocks in the river!

Joshua, Grandma & Grandpa enjoying a fun moment!
This was the year Joshua passed away but he always found so much
joy in being with family!

We love you Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa!

Me and My Great Kids!

Chairs at Church - Joshua can help too!

Chairs at Church

Joshua Can Help Too!

Yes, the process was slower this way.  But it was also filled with much more joy and fun! 

Every day I smile as simple acts around me bring such sweet memories of my Joshua boy!

Yesterday afternoon, I was rehearsing at the front of the chapel at Church and noticed several men taking down the folding chairs in the overflow area.  I smile inwardly and outwardly as I could vividly picture my cute and handsome Joshua, so eager to help with this very "simple" task.

But he couldn't quite do it!  He just could not get the chair from a normal sitting position and fold it up ready to lean against the wall!  He had to do it his way.

So we all allowed him to "think" he was helping us a lot as he would bring us all one chair at a time.  You never knew  who he would choose to hand the chair to and in his enthusiastic way say "here!"  And you had to be ready because he was not very patient, and when he was ready to give it to you, he was ready for sure!

But I can just see him after handing the chair over, he would either clap his hands, or give a little happy hop, or possibly say "I did it."  And then he would receive high fives and "way to go" comments and many thanks.  He was needed and he was important!!  And he was happy!

And on to find the next chair he would go.

Yes, the process was slower this way.  But it was also filled with much more joy and fun!  We all need a Joshua to help take down those chairs at the end of a Sunday!