Joshua Anderson Williams 9/1/84 ~ 9/2/08**********
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."
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:
My prayers are with you this week. I will light a candle Wednesday and pray for you.
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.
I will definitely mark my calendar for a candle, GG. Beautiful pics. I shake my head at the "That's Yellowstone."
Mich
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
(o)
Yellowstone! That's hilarious! (I recognized it right away...)
Keeping you in my thoughts this week, my friend...
I will light a candle. Sept. 1 is my fbc's birthday. I will not forget.
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))))
Holding you fast in prayer this week.
Candles and prayers for this hard, sad week.
Wonderful picture of your beautiful son. I'll be lighing a candle Wed (and adding my prayers for all of you, too.)
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.
My heart hurts for you...I will light a candle next Wednesday and be holding you in prayer.
You will be in my prayers, then and until then. I will light a candle.
holding you and your beautiful boy in the light.
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
Holding you and yours in prayer, and lighting a candle Wed. night. Grace and peace to you.
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.
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.
Praying and lighting a candle.
Sending love.
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.
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.
I will light a candle for Josh on Wednesday night.
I offered the Spanish mass this morning for Josh, and we prayed for you all. May grace and consolation fill this week....
Definitly will be lighting a candle for Josh. Thinking of you all.
I have been thinking and holding all of you in thoughts etc...I lit a candle on my blog for all of you.
Lighting a candle for you, of course. Prayers and love.
A candle burns at St. Joseph's in Philly - the first Jesuit parish in the state.
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.
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
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
A candle is burning for Josh and another for you in my church.
Lit a candle for you on my blog. Caring and hurting for you all today and surrounding you with love and prayers.
I am remembering you and your family today, and I just lit a candle for Josh. I'll do another one tonight.
Lit a candle for Josh and all of your family.
Prayers continue.
Special prayers for you today.
Lighting a candle. Continuing to pray for you and your family.
I lit a candle at the gratefulness website. Much love from Scotlandx
Real and virtual candles are burning today for Josh, you and your family. You are in my heart and my prayers.
came over here from RGBP. Lost two sons to being born too soon to survive. Lit a candle for Josh tonight. Thank you.
Lighting a candle this evening...
Just lit a candle.
Much love to you.
Yes, I did light a candle for Josh.
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.
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.
sorry I missed lighting a cndle, but have said a belated prayer.
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