Broken/Surrounded by people like glue

Tragedy has ravished us with the loss of our son, Josh. It is lonely, but we are not alone, our village has us surrounded. The night Josh passed, our village was at the bridge, maybe 100 people, probably more, there for us, there for Josh. Less than 24 hours later, on a holiday, hundreds and hundreds gathered with us at Josh’s Bridge. Cards, calls, food, flowers, visitors began flowing steadily in, acts of love from near and far. Little league organized a pick up game to help little brother cope, and you showed up in droves. A swim remembrance at the bridge brought Josh’s squad of friends and family together again along with the local newspaper who put our son and the incredible mourning of a village on the Sunday front page. So many have come running to us, met us where we are, just to look us in the eye or squeeze our shoulder to let us know that our village is right by our side, to let us know that Josh is deeply loved, deeply missed. There are so many people and your acts of love that we could not begin to name you all, you are thousands, you are an army. You are like Josh, for Josh would run to anyone in need or broken hearted. Knowing that we don’t get to see Josh the way we have for the last 18 years is devastating, crippling. Though the hole that has been blown through our hearts is permanent, the love and care from our village has held us up in many ways. From the bottom of our broken hearts, we thank you.