Wow, although it's undoubtedly felt like ten long years for some, for me, it's hard to believe an entire year has gone by since your tragic passing, Josh. I've thought about you a lot during the past year, along with thoughts about sweet Lara. You helped to define me in so many ways through our early teen years. I'll never forget playing Vanilla's "Ice, Ice, Baby" over and over in your bedroom. (We could never bring ourselves to tolerate any of his other songs.) We went to church together and did scouts. There was the time you put our lives at risk by yelling profanities to a group of very large, very angry Samoans as you pulled up unannounced in front of their neighborhood party. I still feel horrible you broke your prized pitching hand on my knee when you punched me at University Mall. I was so grateful we "made up" after you toilet papered my house in 7th grade. We tore up the trails of the Riverwoods on your Honda trailbikes, shot each other endlessly with bee-bee guns, and caught hundreds of fish in the Provo River. I really needed your friendship.
We spent so much time in your backyard, refining your pitching arm. As you got stronger, I got more scared to catch you. Still lucky I didn't ever take a fastball to the chin! We had fun teasing that old backyard neighbor of yours who couldn't tolerate Max's barking.
As years went by and we became comfortable in separate circles, I still always had so much gratitude for your friendship, your love for life and your commitment to family. Your smile was contagious. You were crazy in so many ways, always living on the edge. You taught me to cliff jump, how to water ski, how to fish, how to try and relax, how to understand clean-freaks, how to play ball, how addictive it is to smell books, clean laundry and money (not that I ever do that).
I know a loving Heavenly Father knows of your family and their needs. He will guide and protect them as they continue to mourn your passing. I'm excited to see you again.
