My sweet friend, Lindy, had to say goodbye to her son this week as he graduated from mortality and returned to the arms of our Heavenly Father.
I was blessed to get to know him as I designed the program and talked with Lindy. (see below).
Yesterday, I drove an hour to attend his memorial service and celebrate his life.
It may sound crazy, but I really enjoy going to funerals. I get an insight into an individual that I didn’t have before. I witness the ripple effect that ONE LIFE has on the planet. I always feel I’m on sacred ground.
I have learned so much here are a few of the lessons I gleaned from listening to stories about Josh today.
- Humans are amazing and Miracles happen (Josh had a heart surgery as a baby and it’s a miracle he lived for 16 years!)
- NEVER GIVE UP on your dreams (after a surgery in 2018 Josh was able to finally have restrictions removed and lived life to the fullest.)
- Be intentional about life and always show love to others. (he was kind to sibling, friends, and family)
- Your EXAMPLE matters
- Righteous Living leads to a fulfilling life
- We never know how long we have on earth. Things can change in an instant. Seek to always be a blessing to others
- Youth united in singing hymns moves my soul – sing more.
- People have big feelings. It’s important to have other people to help you through life. It’s not to be done alone.
- Dream Big. Keep going. Don’t let doubters get you down
- Physical Strength is great, but Spiritual Strength and character is purifying, sanctifying, and glorious to behold.
- God works miracles, even today
- We can be generous even in our moments of pain. (Joshua’s organs became miracles for 4 families)
- Our Legacy lives on far after we have departed mortality.
- I love Lindy so much, her heart is so good.
- It feels much more right to Celebrate Life than to mourn death, for death is but a passageway into heaven.
- You can feel/know of another person, even if you never met them.
Joshua has a beautiful soul and I have no doubt that he is doing a great work in the paradise of heaven. May you not “rest in peace” but be “anxiously engaged in a good cause” and filled with the light, love, and power of Jesus Christ.
Lindy is a songwriter and wrote this song helped comfort him as a baby and over his lifetime. It’s called Joshua’s Lullaby. I hope you enjoy it. I have her cd in my car and listen to it as calming background music often.
I encourage you all to hold your family close, nourish your friendships, and choose to intentionally leave a positive impact on all you meet. Life is too short to hold onto hurt/pain/resentment. LOVE is the Answer. Jesus is the Way. Life is Beautiful. Continue on in Faith.
Thanks for doing this life journey with me.
If somehow you are here and don’t get my emails…click here to stay connected.
Livia
P.S. If you want to donate to help their family with all the medical expenses, please do so here. (he had 2 seizures, and a surgery just before he passed and had been in the hospital for many days.)
