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An inspiration
Sitting here and thinking of Joe, all I can think about is how much of an inspiration he was to so many people. In all the time we spent together I only met 2 people he didn't like. Only 2, How does that happen?
At camps a lot of the councelors fought to be His counselor, the nurses fought over him, the Spirit drivers fought over him. One young many so many people faught to be around just because of who he was. He never gave up or quit on the people that he held dear. He never turned his back even when friends let him down and stood him up when it came to hanging out. He just swept it under the rug and asked again next time.
It has almost been 5 years and I still have people that I run into that tell me they still think of him and they miss him. Still have people that tell me how much he touched their lives and some that even say Joe saved their lives. I have seen the biggest football players become the biggest softies because of Joe. Watched guys who put on the tough guy act come to his rescue when someone messed with him. I've even seen the gumpiest people soften and become his friends. How can one young man do this?
Joe fought pain everyday. His internal organs had shifted, his spine was curved so bad his ribs touched his hip, his bones were all so close to the surface from being so skinny, he couldn't even wear shoes because his feet became miss formed. Yet this incredible young man carried on everyday with a smile. He even made others around him smile. He didn't let other see his pain because he didn't want their pity. He wanted their joy. He looked at me one day and said "I don't care how much pain meds I have to take, I will be at the hospital when you have that baby." he even had mom give him extra pain meds so he could go to poultry days and see Keith Rowlands, 2x2 with Buff and Fish, and his friends from high school.
Joe was an inspiration because Joe always looked for the good. Even though in 2 he couldn't find much he still tried his best. So many people that he ment so much to that it made it difficult just to see them after he passed. To see them reminded me of an inspirational, caring, loving, fighting young man that is no longer here.
I just want everyone to remember your life doesn't last forever and everyday on this earth is another chance for you to be an inspiration to someone, to show love to someone, to help someone in need, or even to fight for someone. Don't look around to see if anyone is watching that doesn't matter. If you can touch one person's life you never know it could be something that saves their life. Joe always said he could keep going because of the love and support he had. What if your kindness toward someone is just the love and support they need to fight one more day.
We lost an amazing young man way before his time at only 23. How many of us think about the fact that we may not wake up tomorrow. Or that our lives could be over today? If you were to be gone today or tomorrow could you honestly say that you gave it your all? That you were someone that never gave up and always tried to think positively? Will those around you remember you in a positive or negative way. Be that inspiration that hope and stength some day you might need someone else to be it for you.
Don't wait for someday, make someday today. You never know if you have another day!
I love and miss you Joseph
