Best Friends

Joey's best friend, Kevin, and his beautiful family came to visit us last week. Kevin, his wife Molly, and adorable baby Josie, who was named after our son, brought love, laughter and comfort to our home. His mom, Melissa, who is my best friend, and her husband and her other two sons also came, and it was like the good old days when we all used to go on vacation together. It was emotional to see them, as we rarely ever saw Kevin apart from Joey, and it definitely felt like someone was missing. . .but seeing him also brought us tremendous joy and comfort. Jaime said it was like being with her brother again, and there was much happiness in our home while they were here.

Here Isabel gets to hold our sunshine girl, Josie.

Josie is always smiling great big twinkly smiles and she's obviously inherited major IQ points from her double veterinarian parents. At just over a year, she "speaks" sign language and can parrot just about anything you ask her to say.

On our last night together, we watched home movies of all of our kids growing up together those many years ago just a few doors apart on the same street. We have so many memories, they all run together. They grew up going to the same schools and the same church, and shared every barefoot summer vacation. Some of the videos we hadn't looked at in years. It was just so good to remember how much fun they all had together as children, and how richly interwoven our lives have been for so many decades. It takes time and hundreds of experiences to create that kind of bond.

In order left to right: Tom, Jeremy, Molly, Kevin, Joe, Josie, Ryan, Melissa.

I can't tell you how much I love these people.

They are the best kind of friends--with you on the mountain tops and down in the valleys, and every place in between.

Proverbs 18:24

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Josie Girl Turns One!

We all love this little girl. Who could resist?

We love that she's named in honor of our son by his best friend.

And now she's One.
Happy Birthday Sunshine Girl!

Numbers 6:24-26
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

The Company of Those Who Understand

On our first day with our special visitors, after the children were off to school, we adults were able to gather together for brunch. I can't describe the deep comfort that came from being around Kevin. I felt peace like I haven't felt for a year. He carries so much of Joey's spirit with him, since they've been best friends since the diaper stage, it was almost as if Joey were with us, too. When all these young adults get together, their humor and laughter brings back the best memories, and it was a joyous reunion.

We got to sit for a couple of hours-- eating, talking and remembering. I missed Joey profoundly, so obviously absent from this gathering of some of his closest companions. It was an unusual mixture of emotions--deep comfort and intense longing at the same time.

I don't think I could have done this without the 16 intervening months we've had to do some healing. I think we all felt some trepidation, not certain whether the reunion would send us back to our original grief. But it didn't and we were comforted in being together, much more than we ever expected. I knew there would be emptiness when they left, but I decided to focus on the gift of this present moment.

Of course, baby Josephine also did her part to keep us in the Present. She stole the spotlight whenever she was awake! She's a bundle of squirmy delight and funny faces. Best of all, she holds so much promise for the future.

Here, Melissa and I being grammies together. My beautiful friend Melissa has walked with me so patiently over the rough road, through the valley of the shadow of death. She is such a compassionate and sensitive person, that I felt completely comforted and understood being with her. Melissa was also kind enough to share Josie, even though she hadn't seen her for a while herself, and thanks to her generosity

... I almost met my Josie cuddle quota!

Ecclesiastes 9:7
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.

Our First Night Together

Tom and Melissa arrived a few hours before the others, so we picked them up and took them out to dinner...just the four of us. We talked about Joey and the kids and how everyone was doing now.

Then Rachel arrived (sans suitcase, Delta gave her an overnight kit), and finally Molly, Kevin and baby Josephine.

And here they are! Yay!!! What a joyful reunion this was.

My precious friend Melissa, Joey's second mom, cradling her new granddaughter Josie, named after Joey. A sweet circle of love.

The days went quickly, but the time was tender and comforting. These people have had the same kind of year we have had, and they understand so much without us having to speak the words. Having them in our home was a balm for our souls.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2