Joeys Story Continued

          A CoWorker who is also a friend, gave me this poem on the day of Joey's funeral, it was given to her 16 years earlier when her son died.It brought me a great deal of comfort, and so my sister Debby, recited it at Joey's services. I think it is the most beautiful poem I have ever read. I think everyone will agree.

          Little Child Of Mine

          "I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine" he said
          For you to love him while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.
          It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three
          But will you, till I call him back. take care of him for me?
          He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief
          You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

          I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,
          But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
          I've looked the wide world in my search for teachers true
          And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
          Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain?
          Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?

          I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, thy will be done".
          For all the joy the child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
          We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may
          And for the happiness we've known,forever grateful stay
          But should the angels call for him much sooner than we've planned
          We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

          Edgar A Guest

          July 4,1998

          Today I received email from my Dad, I cried while I read it, but wanted to add it here, as this is not only Joey's story but ours as well.

          Some Things we might not have said

          Of course I am talking about Joey. We, the family know what I am talking about and how hard it is to express ourselves.Since I am the grandfather of the concerned, its up to me to put words here and give thoughts, perhaps final on all this terrible heartache we have just went through. Admittedly, the worst in my life. We dont have to ask the Lord why he wants someone; simply comply with his wishes and give up that person. You have to remember that he never suffered after the fall from the bike as he was never conscious. It was a remarkable fact of the amount of caring people that showed up at Joey's funeral. Some of course were in sympathy with his mother, but most were there because he had touched their lives. Robin summoned it all up when crying aloud at the end of the funeral she tearfully said" Life sucks, it isn't fair, we have to leave him here while we can go home." But of course he is in a better place and will be there waiting to welcome us. So try to remember that what Robin said is true, but that when the call comes we must go and it really is the living left behind who suffer the most. With greatest love to my whole family Dad or Granddad Ps please forward to Stacy

          Dad enclosed a picture which I will add, of Joey and his cousin Anthony at a barbecue last summer.

          jopic

          I received this letter today from my daughter, Stacy, and thought I'd add it.

          JULY 6,1998............

          I am Josephs sister Stacy.....I grew up with joey since birth being that he was only a year older than me...........we had so many good times.I never imagined in my life ,that I would have to go through anything like this with my brothers...either of them.John is my other brother (the oldest) I cant even explain the pain I am feeling from this !!!!!!! I feel like Joe was done an injustice in life. I hope that nobody has to ever feel the way I am feeling right now. Some days I dont even want to get up and face the world...I just wish I had one wish in the world, mine would be to turn back the hands of time....and bring my Joey back. I miss him sooo much....he was so innocent and did not deserve this ......I just want to remember the great times we had growing up, but every time I do I end up wanting to cry my eyes out because he is not here.....I just hope by reading this and the rest of the family web page,that it makes parents wake up and smell the coffee..

          HELMETS SAVE LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          July 7,1998
          Today I received a letter from my aunt in California, I want to share it with everyone

          DARLING PATTY AND ALL OF OUR FAMILY.
          ONCE AGAIN I HAVE READ THE POEM. AND FEEL THAT IS IS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORK. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT CAME FROM HIS HEART. AND THE LETTER FROM HIS GRANDFATHER, WELL I CAN'T TELL YOU THE WAY IT MADE ME FEEL. ISNT LOVE, ESPECIALLY FAMILY LOVE WONDERFUL.IT'S ALWAYS THERE. WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST. AND WHEN YOU NEED IT JUST A LITTLE. ALONG WITH LOVE YOU HAVE HEARTS, I KNOW WE HAVE ONLY BEEN LOANED THESE HEARTS,WE FILL THEM WITH OUR LIVES, ESPECIALLY OUR BABIES, THEY ARE THE ULTIMATE IN FILLING OUR HEARTS. AND WHEN GOD SAY'S IT'S TIME FOR ONE OF US TO LEAVE ,SOMEONES HEART HAS TO READJUST.WE DON'T WANT TO ,WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE WAY IT IS, BUT GOD, HE GETS IN THERE AGAIN, AND HELPS US TO HANDLE THAT NEW VOID, I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT, MAYBE WITH ALL THE NEW FLOWERS, AND COLORS, AND PEOPLE,OH YEAH MAYBE IT'S THAT LOVE THAT EVERYONE KEEPS OVERFLOWING AT US, I'M SO GLAD IT'S THERE' JOEY, YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A FAMILY THAT LOVES YOU, AND ALWAYS WILL, YOUR SOUL LIVES ON. THANK YOU JOEY, FOR SPENDING YOUR PRECIOUS TIME WITH US. WE LOVE YOU BABY.
          AUNT WENDY

          Here is a letter from My Mom to Joey:
          To Our Grandson,
          You were a beautiful baby. As a Toddler, you were happy as the day was long. You laughed at the funniest things, such as throwing things up and letting them fall.You were very interested in everything, but mostly electronics. We were so proud of you when you graduated Kindergarden.You took your little cousin under your wing. You took him fishing every summer, and played games, and talked with him, even though there were over 10 years between your ages. Then you went on and graduated High School and was the class Valedictorian. What you said brought tears to everyones eyes.Poppy and I were so very proud. Then you were working towards your independance. You were on the verge of achieving it, when you had your accident.How sad that you weren't wearing a Helmet.Poppy and I can't tell you much we loved you- We hope and pray you know it. You were our Happy Grandson.We love you Joey.
          Love Meems(Mema)

          Mom also wrote this for everyone
          June 9th is a date we all will never forget, as well as June 23rd. It seemed as though it was forever, those two weeks.
          Our Son, Brother, Grandson, Cousin, Nephew, lay in a coma, not moving,not blinking,not a twitch, nto even breathing on his own.
          ALL BECAUSE OF NOT WEARING A HELMET! AND CARELESS DRIVING!
          I kept waiting to hear "hi, Meems"Here's a Wet one for you!We all prayed to God that he would take him home real soon.There is a better place for such a good boy like him.I know God heard us and I'm very grateful.I miss him so much, buit I know he is happy and safe.Don't ever forget Joey, you are always with us.
          We Love you
          Mema

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