Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Remebering Joy

We are now home from TX. I have many stories to share, but the most important is Joy's memorial service. It was amazing to see the outpouring of people that she had an impact on and to read the abundance of cards and letters that my parents received. There were so many medical staff there, all expressing what a neat person Joy was. Her main transplant doctor was particularly touched by her service and is still a bit baffled as to why we were not so distraught - why Joy was so unafraid to die. He was amazed that she was able to sign her own DNR and make all of her own decisions about her medical care. Please pray that he realizes that God is the one that made the difference. My parents have talked with him and plan on keeping up a relationship with him. My brother, Josh, read a list of the reasons why he loves Joy and did an amazing job. You could see him struggling to stay composed, but he did awesome. Then my grandfather said a few things. (This is the grandfather who was married to my grandmother that passed away in August and that Joy was named after - and that Morgan is named after - Elizabeth) It was a beautiful service and opened with this video. It was produced by some friends of my parents. These people became friends with my parents when my brother Jeremy died. Their son had died just a few weeks before Jeremy. I wanted to share this with you and thank each of you for praying for Joy and my family. No laughing at the fashions or hairstyles!!!





I have discovered that while we were in TX I was so focused on caring for kids and making sure that my family was doing okay that I really never grieved for Joy. Now that I am home, she is constantly on my mind. I am still amazed that we will not have any more memories of her. She will never be older than 21 years and 15 days. But we know she is dancing in Heaven with her Savior and Jeremy and Grammy. And in a "blink of an eye" we will see her again. Thank you again for all of your prayers!!

From Mike and Jenn and the Six-pack!

UPDATE: Howard May is the one that produced the video, and he is putting the video and the audio from the service onto one CD. Let me know if you would like a copy.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing. What a blessng to know she is happy & whole in the arms of Jesus.

Deedee said...

First of all you are a dark horse! You never mentioned that you had a blog!! Now I can keep up with you guys too!
Secondly I have a very wet keyboard now. I had just said to Mom that I could only remember pictures of Joy when she was little and couldn't remember what she looked like when she was older. Mom's answer was she looked the same really only a little bit bigger (not much!)
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I'm praying for you as you do your grieving now. (((HUGS))) I can't imagine loosing one of my 'little' brothers, it must be so hard to loose a sister. I love you girl and I'll be back to have a good read and catch up on your lives real soon.
Oh! And I love you name 'costcoaddict'!!! You know you have me hooked now don't you? They opened here just two years ago and dh got me a memebership. It is even worth the almost hour drive to get there! LOL!

Renee said...

I'm sorry to read about your loss. I know this must be a hard time right now but what a comfort to know that her faith rested in God. Blessing to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Jenn-
Thank you for sharing the video. I'm so sorry you and your family had to go through this. Thank you God- she is rejoicing right now!! :)

Love to you
Carrie

Anonymous said...

Dear Jenn,
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful video. It grieved me so much not to be able to be there for the memorial celebration, and this brought tears to my eyes this morning as I watched. We truly have an amazing family and an awesome God! I can truly visualize Joy, Jeremy and Grammy Thompson all laughing together in heaven!

Love to you all,
Aunt Lynn

Anonymous said...

Jenn and Family,
Life is so precious. I'm so glad you had the last memories with Joy. Wow. The music/picture presentation was so touching. God's ways are so above ours. In Loving Memory to you and your family. The Sharps

E Jill Riley said...

A BLOG? I had one of those and, frankly, I'm not sure that anybody needs to read what runs through MY head. BUT, I'm happy to read your thoughts. I am so glad you are back, and thrilled to have found you as a friend. You give me joy.

Anonymous said...

I just now brought myself to watch this. How special! I have to be honest and say that I skipped ahead some - I didn't want to cry right now. I miss you & love you!
Love, Mandy