Josh Memorial Report

Josh's memorial service was fun for lack of a better word. I was really challenged to live life as completely as possible, and was especially challenged by his evident love for his wife and kids. They were truly his main concern throughout his illness, and it was interesting how many other folks commented on this besides myself.

I enjoyed getting to know Josh a little better as they had photos from his pre-cancer days, his wedding album, and some video shot pre-cancer. Great to hear him talk without all the slowness of speech I always associated with him.

6 people (me included) took two minutes to tell some stories about Josh. Of those, four of us included stories about his biking escapades. I did not know this prior to yesterday, but he really was an accomplished cycling commuter well before I got to know him. I was told over and over by his dad how much the bit of biking he got in between brain surgeries was an encouragement to him. Made me think that sometimes it is simply the little things that are important. All I did was invite him to ride a couple times, loan him a bike for a few months, and get him in contact with Dan to buy the Karate Monkey, but it was really a huge encouragement to him.

One sad moment was that amongst the posters, books, etc, they had the Monkey on display with his helmet, shoes, gloves and bright yellow jacket he always wore. Choked me up a bit to see the bike and gear of such a great guy never to be used again.



His most thought provoking quote was when he first found out he had this cancer:
"This is the most important thing God has ever entrusted me with"

Sorry most of you never knew him.

Sorry I did not know him longer.