Matthew and Joshua D
On Saturday, we went to a tree planting in memory of Joshua D. The tree was planted in a large, open space near the start of a trail in a Three Rivers Park.
We never met Joshua D while he was here on earth. Instead, we met his mom and brother at a Grief Group run by Youth Grief Services. Mike and I bonded with Joshua's mom, talking about desperately longing for our older sons and still finding the resources to love and raise our surviving sons. Nathan and Joshua's younger brother became fast friends, understanding the pain of suddenly losing an adored older brother while simultaneously loving life: having friends, throwing balls, wrestling, laughing....
On Saturday, we attended a tree planting in Joshua D's memory. The minister spoke to the pain of all there, reminding us that life on earth in our bodies is short while our souls are eternal.
Mike told me at that point, he wondered if Matthew had met Joshua in heaven. He then felt a thud on his left shoulder. I, too, then felt something hit my left shoulder, and I turned to find out why Mike had hit me! But he hadn't. We had each been hit, in turn, by the leaf that is shown above. After it hit me, it rested on my shoulder and I found it after I turned to Mike.
It was such a strange feeling.... a truly jarring blow from a small, falling leaf. It was almost as if two little boys were watching us, and one of them threw a "laser" to his parents, to let them know he and Joshua were Ok and still with us.
We are sorry we didn't know Joshua, but from learning about him from his mom and brother, we think he and Matthew would have liked each other and gotten along well. And maybe they are....
