Living in Toronto, we have been experiencing the fear of the Coronovirus. Everyone is comparing it to SARS which hit Toronto badly in 2003 as well. I vaguely remember it, because I was off work (so luckily wasn’t reporting to my hospital job with all the scare and precautions) and totally preoccupied and in absolute love with my new little guy!
Baby Josh was his name for the first several years – or rather, Baby Dosh to big brother Zach. I remember their first meeting. Zach arrived with balloons and its wanted to kiss his brother. Josh was crying a lot so Zach kept trying to shush him. (Bad quality picture but cuteness all the same!)
Zach loved his brother so much. Except for the time he tried to kill him. I snapped this picture thinking how cute it was that he was reaching for Josh – but 2 seconds later he tried to roll him off the bed, lol.
But they spent so much time together and really loved each other.
Over the years, that has continued. This past year there were some tough good byes as Zach left for his mission. But the beautiful thing is they both have come to love and appreciate each other and share how they miss each other as brothers and best friends.
So I’ll start there with the 17 things I love about Josh:
1.He is a great brother. He is loyal and he loves his siblings as friends. He may be stubborn and have been engaged in many sibling wars over the years, but when it comes down to it, he is a fantastic brother and friend.
2. I will also upfront say, he is an awesome son. I have so appreciated how he has stepped up this year with so many transitions and been pretty tender and loving with me.
3. He gives great hugs! I don’t even have to force them on him!
4. He has a tender, emotional side. I can count on him to share some teary eyes with me in sad movies, or when we see something really touching.
5. He is a sporty guy at heart. He will play all sports and usually plays them super well! He’s pretty competitive and pushes himself hard. He also gets the strategy of games which is an asset to all the teams he is on.
6. He has a great sense of humour. He has the best laugh, appreciates when someone shares something funny and is a great storyteller.
7. He is smart. He has some natural abilities (now to really put the effort in and use those abilities even more!!) He has a great memory and a good understanding of so many anythings.
8. He is a fly who is drawn to sugar. He loves his sweets. Yes, not the best health wise , but he is appreciative of any dessert! It is part of who he is – and we love all of him:)
9. He is a thinker. I love that in many ways he is a loner. He prefers to walk so many places on his own – he never minds being alone. He enjoys his own company and enjoys the time to think.
10. He is a great traveller. He is up for adventures, knows his geography, likes to learn about where he goes, tries out the local cuisine, and enjoys sightseeing and learning. I love to travel with him!
11. He is authentic. He doesn’t pretend to be someone he is not. Josh is Josh. He walks to the beat of his own drum. I really respect that in him.
12. He is super kind. You just have to watch how he treats little kids, or even one of his friends. He is a caring and kind guy, and has compassion. He is a loyal friend, and a fun guy too.
13. He loves his doggie. Yes, I have to fight him to walk Reggie, but he is up to cuddle him and sit with him and give some love. Again, it shows his soft and tender side. But he really likes being goofy too!
14. He can really open up. Don’t bother talking to him in the morning. But he is always up for conversation later on. He’s not an open book, but he shares when he wants to, and is a good listener.
15. His Spirit is growing and growing and I love that he comes out with things that I didn’t even know he had paid attention to! He is eager to learn and looks for tender mercies and think places and moments.
16. He is an honest guy. He tells it like it is:) Sometimes can be a but too blunt lol but you know where you stand!
17. He is a leader and example to us all. He has stepped up to being the older brother this past year and excelled!
Josh is a super special guy!! I am so blessed and honoured to have him as my son. I love spending time with him, I love how he tolerates my many questions, annoying texts with extra emojis and my rattling on when I am flustered. He is a good guy all around, and makes everything more interesting and fun! I love to learn from him too.
Happy 17th Josh!!!
xoxox
