I know it is green smiley day, but honestly I can not put one on this morning. I went out to Josh this morning on my way to work to take down the Happy Birthday Balloons that everyone had left and someone has stolen my beautiful butterfly solar light that I had hanging. I am really pissed off. I called John crying my eyes out and my good friend Toni. What common person would go to a grave a do something like that? It was the only light like it out hanging out there. Very unique. Like Josh. I want to thank each of you for sending all of the birthday wishes for Josh, John and I. On Saturday I was up at 4:30 just could not sleep. I read everyone's journals at 4:30 and cried for about a hour. At 5:30, the time Josh was born, I lite a very special candle (Thanks Kathy). I went into his room and smelled all of his clothes that still lay in his chair. They are all clean except his sleep clothes he had on that morning. I just cannot bring myself to wash them. I will lose his smell forever. At 8:45 I went up to pick up the birthday cake. How beautiful it was with his picture on it. A little guy helped me take it out and he said "Are you Josh's Mom?" I said "Yes, today is his birthday." The guy said "I know and I miss him too. Can I give you a hug?" I said "Yes" and cried some more. I did not know this young man, but my Josh did. I then stopped to pickup Happy Birthday Balloons. I was talking to the woman about Josh and she told me just to picture his birthday party up in heaven. She said she could not picture a more perfect birthday than to be in heaven with Jesus. Well, from there to the scene of the accident. I put two balloons on the cross there for Josh. Cried and cussed. I hate that place. I went home John was sitting outside under the shelter of his barn. I went to tell him about the Young Guy and I cried some more. John got ready and we stopped by to see Josh and put balloons out. I told John I wanted everyone that went out to that cemetery know that Saturday was my angels birthday. We arrived at the party @ 11:15. We had 27 show up. WOW was I surprised, some came that I did not invite but Josh's friends past the word around and showed up. They loved Josh and that I can proudly put on a smiley face for
. Afterwards, John and I left for TN for his family reunion. It took us 6 hours. I guess it was about 8:30 when we arrived. Josh has been on my mind so much this weekend. I am dying inside without him. There was people at the reunion that were asking John's brothers and sister how many children they had. Not one time, did anyone ask John and I. Why I asked? Josh's name was not mentioned one time yesterday at this reuion. Maybe, that was a gift from Josh for John and I, because what would we have said. I cried coming home and it was very quite trip home. My goal today is just making it through today. I love you Joshie Pooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. Afterwards, John and I left for TN for his family reunion. It took us 6 hours. I guess it was about 8:30 when we arrived. Josh has been on my mind so much this weekend. I am dying inside without him. There was people at the reunion that were asking John's brothers and sister how many children they had. Not one time, did anyone ask John and I. Why I asked? Josh's name was not mentioned one time yesterday at this reuion. Maybe, that was a gift from Josh for John and I, because what would we have said. I cried coming home and it was very quite trip home. My goal today is just making it through today. I love you Joshie Pooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replies
aw honey, I am so sorry for your pain.
I\'m so sorry that today is such a difficult one. And your right, what kind of person steals from a cemetery, what goes around comes around! Just think of the havoc Josh will play on that person for hurting his momma!! I\'m happy that you had such a wonderful turn out for Josh\'s birthday, and I can only imagine how hard it must of been for you. I haven\'t reached the first birthday yet, but it\'s next month. I\'m dreading it something awful. I just want to give you a big hug!
Candice
Rhonda, you met and hugged a very special young man who knew Josh. 27 kids showed up to show you how much Josh meant to them. What a very special day. Josh is still smiling in heaven with how proud he is of you and John. I am sure people at the reunion just didn\'t know what to say. I think we need to educate people on how to deal with beareaved parents. Ignoring us, not speaking our childs name is not the way. I am here if you need me. Lots of hugs, jake\'s mom, kathy
I\'m overwhelmed at the birthday party and the hug from the young man. How wonderful to know how much you son is thought of each and everyday. What a beautiful, awesome boy you raised for him to have such great friends. I\'m sorry your hurting so badly. It sucks!! I too had a hard weekend no reason just the same stuff everyday. I\'ve had a few things stolen from the cemetary too. I absolutely can\'t believe it. What would someone want the stuff for but people are mean sometimes. I guess the people who don\'t mention your son at the reunion just don\'t quite know what to say. I often think we should all write a chapter and we should have a book published. What not to say and what to say. Hope your week gets better. Love Robin
I love you Rhonda. I feel so inadequate right now. I so want to say something profound, enlightened, helpful. But what words are there? I have none but these. Josh watches you and sends his love to you every single day. He is proud of his mom and dad. I\'m sorry for your pain.
Much love,
Teri and Kala
How horrible for you. I am sorry that some inane, rude person stole something so precious to you. And don\'t think it\'s weird to not have washed Josh\'s pajamas. My Mandee went to heaven on Jan. 1 and I still haven\'t washed hers.... Don\'t know that I ever will.....Sending you hugs..
KNOW UR BEING HUGGED MY FRIEND...UR NEVER ALONE..JOSH IS SO PROUD OF U AND JOHN AND HE MISSIS U AS MUCH AS U MISS HIM AND LOVES U ALSO...OUR ANGELS ARE WATCHING OVER US..SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT TO SAY OR DO COS THEY HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW IT FEELS...AND YES I KNOW ..IT HURTS!..HERE FOR U ALWAYS**DIANA
SOME PEOPLE ARE SO SICK,,,TAKING THINGS FROM A CEMETARY...IM SO SORRY
We do what we can when we can. Josh Josh Josh don\'t you want to shout his name at the people who so carefully avoid saying it. I want people to talk about John even if it does make me cry. Gift or not, their name is important and so were their lives. Praying for you. Love and hugs Cathy
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know how you feel when people avoid speaking your childs name thinking somehow they are avoiding upsetting you. They just don\'t know that it hurts us more. I think they are afraid if you start crying that they will also. So they avoid us never realizing their tears are salve on our wound, their silence is salt. That is why I think this site is so helpful to all of us because we can be honest and open with our feelings. Happy Birthday Josh I am so happy to have your mom as a new friend. In faith, hope and love. Pam