Stories are being collected from Josh's friends and family. Check back for new stories.
Here's a story from The Compassionate Friends that shares our family's feelings:
A Fable: There once live a family who felt so very happy. They felt so very secure in the world based on their love for each other. On the mantel of their fireplace stood a vase. It was a strong, sturdy vase - attractive but not extravagant. It had been a wedding gift, and to them it symbolized their family. It had withstood the bumps of moving, toddlers' antics and the trials of teenagers as the family had withstood the buffets and ordeals of life. The scars and chips could be detected only on very close scrutiny.
The day the oldest son in the family died, the vase was found on the mantel, shattered into many pieces. No one bothered to gather up the pieces. It was left for some time in its broken condition on the mantel.
After some time had passed, thought was given to putting the vase back together. Little enthusiasm was generated but eventually the task was begun. The family worked together, each adding a piece or a suggestion about getting it mended. Each one of the family members got discouraged and, more than once, one of them was heard to say, "It can't be done."
Finally, after many years, the vase was back in its normal place on the mantle. To the casual observer it looked strong and sturdy, and no one would guess it was less than perfect. But on closer examination, it obviously had been shattered and put back together, and on turning it around, one could see that one large piece was permanently missing. It had never been found and served to remind the family that in their journey to mend and heal their hearts - their lives would never be the same.
