Tuesday, August 25, 2009

A Quiet Week Ahead


Joshua Anderson Williams 9/1/84 ~ 9/2/08

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Top Photo: NC Camp Counselors' Week-End Off in Atlanta. My favorite photo (click to enlarge) of the grown-up, exuberant Josh.

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Bottom Photo ~ In late May of 2005, I resisted the urge to call Josh every five minutes over Memorial Day week-end. His sophomore college exams were about a week away and I was sure that he and his friends were taking advantage of the three-day week-end to engage in behavior that did not involve studying. However, I assured myself that none of them had cars and that they would limit their activities to their Chicago campus and Hyde Park neighborhood, and I stayed away from the phone. On Tuesday he called me, and said that he was emailing some photos from the week-end.

I looked at the photos as they slowly appeared onscreen and then I called him back. "That's Yellowstone," I said.

His response? "We got as far as Idaho."

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Please let me know if you light a candle next Wednesday night for Josh.

51 comments:

Joan Calvin said...

My prayers are with you this week. I will light a candle Wednesday and pray for you.

Karen said...

oh my achy heart
a well of tears
streams down my face
a boulder on my chest
those arms lifted so high
that exuberant smile
that is Josh now forever
such a beautiful boy.
Love and hugs to you all.
Wednesday- a candle.

Daisy said...

I will definitely mark my calendar for a candle, GG. Beautiful pics. I shake my head at the "That's Yellowstone."

Mich

Gberger said...

What a beautiful young man...his delight is infectious in that top photo.
I love the road trip story - so creative (and funny)! I wish I could have met him, but am thankful that I am getting to know him a bit, through your sharing here.
I will be thinking of you; a candle is lit, right now, in my heart.

Jennifer said...

I continue to read, continue to learn, and continue to feel privileged by your sharing of your journey. Sometimes I don't comment, simply because I am holding and treasuring your words in my heart and words don't come easily or quickly to let you know this. Now, I am holding these images and the very, very alive image of Josh in my heart as well. I will mark my calendar to light a candle, treasuring this moment of life for the outcomes are uncertain for all of us--a pain you know entirely too well.

Anonymous said...

the past 2 days all my tears have been for my sorrow - today my tears are for you because I understand your sorrow. It's been 2 years this past Sunday and the time wears on.
He is a beautiful presence.
Grace and peace
April

Kathryn J said...

I will light a candle and think of him & all of you. I remember your worry and your joy that weekend. He was a wonderful young man gone way too soon.

Nancy said...

I will light a candle for Josh next Wednesday. And I'll light a cyber candle here for you and your family.

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/enter.cfm?l=eng

sunflowerkat said...

What wonderful photographs. I'm sure that is how Josh would hope you are remembering him. I will light a candle for Josh on Wednesday, and I will be thinking of you all.

Lori said...

(o)

Lisa :-] said...

Yellowstone! That's hilarious! (I recognized it right away...)

Keeping you in my thoughts this week, my friend...

Jennifer said...

I will light a candle. Sept. 1 is my fbc's birthday. I will not forget.

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

Love the Yellowstone pic. I will be praying for all of you this week. And I'll light a candle, and I will thank God for such a beautiful young man, even as I probably get teary-eyed for you. (((HUG))))

Jody Harrington said...

Holding you fast in prayer this week.

Terri said...

Candles and prayers for this hard, sad week.

Rev SS said...

Wonderful picture of your beautiful son. I'll be lighing a candle Wed (and adding my prayers for all of you, too.)

Cathy said...

I'll be thinking of you and your family. Through you I've come to miss Josh and what he brought to the world, and I cried when I looked at those beautiful pictures. Let us know when you can how you are doing. Meanwhile, I hold you in prayer.

realsarah said...

My heart hurts for you...I will light a candle next Wednesday and be holding you in prayer.

Mary Beth said...

You will be in my prayers, then and until then. I will light a candle.

sko3 said...

holding you and your beautiful boy in the light.

Deb said...

I pray that you will be held in the hollow of God's hand... and I will light a candle for you and pray.

Peace-
Deb

RevAnne said...

Holding you and yours in prayer, and lighting a candle Wed. night. Grace and peace to you.

Jennifer said...

GG, I started my candle-lighting early. Yesterday I had the privilege of introducing my lovely nieces to NYC. They are bright, young, and full of promise, as Josh was....thus, he was on my mind when we entered St. Patrick's Cathedral. When I lit my candle and paused to pray, it was for Josh, for you, and for all those who mourn his death. I hope there is an energy that surrounds you when you hear and truly know that others--who have never met you or your dear son--are holding you in our thoughts and prayers.

Carol said...

I will have Josh and your family in my prayers and thoughts tonight as I attend shabbat services and say kaddish. And during the mishebeirach, the prayer for healing.

Ellyn said...

Praying and lighting a candle.
Sending love.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I have my calendar marked to pray for your family. And I'll add a note about the calendar.

And thank you for sharing his photos.

Karen said...

Just stopping by to say you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers in this most difficult of weeks. Hugs and comfort to you all.

Magdalene6127 said...

I will light a candle for Josh on Wednesday night.

Dr. Laura Marie Grimes said...

I offered the Spanish mass this morning for Josh, and we prayed for you all. May grace and consolation fill this week....

Noelle said...

Definitly will be lighting a candle for Josh. Thinking of you all.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

I have been thinking and holding all of you in thoughts etc...I lit a candle on my blog for all of you.

Jan said...

Lighting a candle for you, of course. Prayers and love.

Michelle said...

A candle burns at St. Joseph's in Philly - the first Jesuit parish in the state.

Lisa H said...

I will light a candle for Josh. You and your family have me in my thoughts & prayers this week, as always. As soccer season starts I still remember a picture you sent us of Josh in action, maybe his junior year?, after he transferred schools.

Susan Richmond said...

In Boston, I follow your blog and have said so many prayers for you and your family. I will be lighting that candle. Blessings to you

bean said...

i will think of josh tomorrow as i have thought of him every day for the past year - and you and all your family - and my heart will be with you tomorrow.
xo bean

Dr. Rural said...

A candle is burning for Josh and another for you in my church.

Karen said...

Lit a candle for you on my blog. Caring and hurting for you all today and surrounding you with love and prayers.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I am remembering you and your family today, and I just lit a candle for Josh. I'll do another one tonight.

Nancy said...

Lit a candle for Josh and all of your family.

Prayers continue.

Betsy said...

Special prayers for you today.

Lorinda said...

Lighting a candle. Continuing to pray for you and your family.

liz crumlish said...

I lit a candle at the gratefulness website. Much love from Scotlandx

Cynthia said...

Real and virtual candles are burning today for Josh, you and your family. You are in my heart and my prayers.

MumPastor said...

came over here from RGBP. Lost two sons to being born too soon to survive. Lit a candle for Josh tonight. Thank you.

Barbara B. said...

Lighting a candle this evening...

earthchick said...

Just lit a candle.

Much love to you.

Theresa Williams said...

Yes, I did light a candle for Josh.

Stratoz said...

no candle, but for 8 days I walked by a statue of St Therese and I asked for some help, I may have swore on occasion, but she didn't seem to be shocked.

Ellyn said...

I had my candle burning for over 16 hours yesterday.
Every time I glanced at it; or walked by it, I offered prayers for Chicago Son, you and all of your family. I will continue to have you in my thoughts and prayers.

Sally said...

sorry I missed lighting a cndle, but have said a belated prayer.