This post is about the handsome fella in the photo below. Hope you enjoy.
For those of you reading this, you probably know that the handsome fella in the picture is my sweet little brother. I use the word "little" lightly. He might be 6 years younger, but he is quite a bit taller, and is beyond his years in wisdom.
Let's go back to when it all began... I was a shy kindergartner in 1993, a six year old who enjoyed all of her mommy's attention, there was no time for a little baby in my mind. You see, it had been just mom and I until I was three, I was having enough time dealing with a new "daddy" and an older sister who didn't have much time for me, a little baby would make things worse for sure. So if your wondering, I didn't like Josh much when he arrived in November of 1993. He cried a lot, took up a lot of mommy's time, and he was a boy... I mean don't boy's have cooties?
As the years went by Josh and I did like most siblings and argued quite a bit. I must say that it was always his fault. Even though we are much older, we still have our moments, but I must say those moments aren't nearly as frequent.
In 2005, Josh and I experienced something that made us closer and more appreciative for each moment we have with people who are important to us. The beautiful gift that the Lord had given us, was gone. We could no longer ride down the road to her house for rice and gravy, or sit and talk with her about the beautiful children she so tenderly cared for. Kathie Jackson was a woman who began keeping Josh when he was about 5 months old, and I would get on and off the bus at her home. We also spent summers with "maw maw kacky" until I was old enough to be home alone until mom or daddy got off work, Josh later joined me when mom felt we could get along without killing one another. Anyway, that heart wrenching day in May will be with me forever. Josh was only 11 years old at the time, but he handled this tragedy with such wisdom. I can remember him crying and being sad like our hole family was, but more than that he was worried about her three grown boys, and grandchildren. Maw Maw and her family are still important to us. Josh sends the boys cards on her birthday and sometimes we run into them since they live less than a mile from us. Josh's love for children began in maw maw's home and I believe that he will continue to carry her legacy with him no matter what his profession is... although being a pediatric oncologist is what he is thinking right now, she would be proud no matter what.
Josh hasn't really had grandparents like most kids, daddy's parents died before Josh was born, and mom's parents never really had much time for us growing up, although Josh and grandmother do have a close relationship now. Through maw maw Kathie and the next family that I will talk about, the Lord gave Josh and I "grandparents." We have truly been blessed to have such influential people in our lives to teach us, take care of us and love us.
Bob and Betty Livingston are family friends who Josh and I grew up with. I honestly can't remember a time when they weren't a part of my life, and Josh never had to experience life without them. Pop and Mimi, as their 5 adorable grandchildren call them, have spent many weekends with our family. There usually isn't a week that passes where we don't see are talk with them. Pop was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2007 and on a very sad day in June he passed away. The days from June 3-6 are a blur to our whole family as we spent hours at the hospital praying he would wake up. Pop's death was pretty traumatic, he passed away from a head injury and not lung cancer. Josh spent most Saturday's with Pop and Mimi over the 2 years that he battled cancer. Josh had promised Pop not long before this that he would step up and take care of Mimi (her only daughter lives in Ohio.) Josh took that promise very seriously and stayed with Mimi from June till August or September. Josh still spends many weekends and sometimes week nights with her.
Josh has been through more than many adults have. I have wondered often what the Lord is trying to prepare Josh for. I'm not sure what that is yet, but I'm proud of how Josh has handled each situation. I often go home for visits, curly up in Josh's bed and catch up with him on what has been going on. He helps me to see things in a different light a lot of times. I'm amazed by his character, and unconditional love for those around him. I am proud to be his big sister and friend.
Josh- I love you and will always be your biggest fan! Keep loving those around you and living for the King!
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