Joe used to live in our neighborhood, shortly after he was saved, I realize now. He was on fire for the Lord, and he never lost that zeal.  He would come over for holidays and such, and one of my kids especially would go over to his place to talk about things. 

What struck me when I would see him, then and after he moved, was how many people he knew. If wealth is counted in friends, Joe was one of the richest people I ever knew!!

When Joey was a first grader he was neighbor and playmate of our son, Jay.

Following their school day routine, the boys rushed into their houses to change into play clothes and to meet outside to play.  As I opened our front door for Jay, he and I saw, with dismay and alarm, that Joey was climbing out of his second story window overlooking the steeply pitched roof of his back porch.  He was attempting to walk the roof edge to reach the big backyard tree that was bare of leaves on this winter's day.  He slipped and began rolling toward the tree and somehow a branch slipped up the back of his jacket . We saw him flailing his arms and legs in space and we started running to his house.  We lost sight of him as we rounded the corner of his yard.  We reached the back yard and there he stood on the ground with his jacket still zipped. And the tree was intact without a broken branch.  As I took in this scene, in disbelief,  I had a barrage of mother's questions for him including why did you try that?  He just shrugged and said he knew his guardian angel would be there to protect him.

Further discussion revealed that in school that day Sister had explained to her students that they all had guardian angels that would never let them fall.

I gently told the boys that I had to believe that he had just given his guardian angel a bit of nerves and that he really should not stress his angel so. 

Last year, we reconnected with Joey and had several phone conversations with him.  He didn't remember this incident but said if I did, then it must be so.

This past year, I was so blessed to share conversations with him as we caught up with our lives since our last meeting. In our last conversation, a month before he took his Saviors's hand, He shared a blessing for me and my family for which I am so grateful. 

I now believe that Joey has reached his dedicated dream and walks with angels and with his savior, Jesus. Till we meet again, dear one,keep singing and praising.