Emerging Courageous online Magazine

I never thought much about the words touched by an angel before. But I do now, one year ago baby Joey was sent to our family, through the grace of Marc and Jaime. And for that I will remain forever grateful. Immediately everyone that came in contact with him, saw something special in this little person, and conveyed their feelings to us. Thanks to his parents, we all got to experience even if just for a brief time, what it felt like to be touched by this beautiful little angel.

Joey was born on a cold and snowy December night in 2001. I am sure every star in the sky was shining brightly, to guide his way to us. From his Aunt Kathy who could not resist taking a moment out of her extremely busy schedule to hold him, and walk around with him. Joey loved for us to hold and walk with him, while he looked at everything. As we let his tiny hand touch each thing, not knowing how important this was for him to experience everything. His cousin would come in and tell him all about hockey, and Joey seemed to be listening, and talking back to us, as if trying to tell us something in his baby jabber at two months old. His cousin Jennifer held him, and told him what everything was that he touched with his baby hand that she held. His other aunt doted on him. And made sure he had every toy she could get him to stimulate his brain.

My husband and I had a big anniversary that year, and on our day in February, we were able to spend it with Joey. I told my husband we would never forget it, and we never will ! You see Joey was my first and only great grand child and my husband's name sake. It doesn't matter if you live one day, one year or ninety years. What matters is that you were loved. And Joey was loved by everyone who came in contact with him. And in his smile he gave back to us, more then we could ever give to him. Some people live a hundred years, and never experience what our Joey did in three short months.

I believe there is a reason behind everything in our lives. Hopefully from most of it we grow and learn. I also believe life is intended to make us better not bitter. We were never promised that there would be no pain or suffering in this life, the most we were promised was that we would not be alone in our suffering. These are only words and can not ease Joeys parents pain or ours over the loss of this beautiful baby. Joey's daddy left up his Christmas tree because Joey loved to stare at the lights. They probably reminded him of the stars waiting for him in the heavens. Where he was soon to go.

What we need to know, is what I believe to be true. We are all made up of energy, soul and spirit, the body is just a vessel or house. When we die the energy the soul and the spirit, leave the body or vessel and is forever free of the pain and sorrow of this world. Joey is not in pain, we are ! He is doing all the things we showed him is his brief but amazing life. Joey was here for a reason and someday if we are open to it, we will all realize it and hopefully accept it, myself included. In his two and a half months, here with us he touched the hearts of many people, both young and old. And even though he couldn't walk he left his footprints in our hearts and on the sands of time. I opened his little hand while he was in my care one day, and looked at his palm I said, "Joey, in the palm of our hands is the hundreds of generations before us and after us, if you ever need me or I you, all you have to do is look at the palm of your hand. I will be there. But for now we will have to hold you in ours.