Remembering Josh.

Well, our hearts have been heavy here this week. We simply may never recover from the loss of our friend Joshua Zowghi. In fact, it seems to get harder each day. With every new piece of information that we get regarding his last day on Earth, we are left with more questions, more heartache and more regret. We just want so desperately to reverse time. But we KNOW that we all must move on and experience the joys of this amazing life... despite any of its hardships. Josh lived life with such a wonderful capacity for love and joy ... and we know that we want to honor that by doing the same.

I'd like to take the time here to share some sweet memories of Josh. .. Our favorite memory is of the "Man Shower" that Josh organized and threw for Halis when he found out that Isaac was likely coming home soon. Josh went into work early one weekday (he worked with Halis at Tire Warehouse) and decorated the shop with baby balloons and crepe paper. He set out a "baby" cake, utensils, napkins, etc (that is what impressed me most - I mean, what kind of traditional male remembers to purchase the utensils & napkins?). And when Halis walked through the door, Josh had rallied all the other guys to surprise and congratulate him on becoming a Daddy. It was wonderful. Halis was so choked up. All the guys had purchased baby gifts ... all well thought out and wrapped beautifully. Halis was choked up for days.

And that was how Josh was ... very "non-traditional" about sharing his love for his male friends, regardless of stereotypical gender roles. He was always hugging Halis (they called them "man hugs") and openly discussing his admiration and affection for him. And Halis always reciprocated it, as he felt the same way about Josh. Perhaps it was that they were both raised in Middle Eastern cultures where men don't have hang-ups about sharing affections. It was wonderful to be around. I always found myself smiling and feeling light-hearted when I watched Halis and Josh together. I will SO miss their friendship.

Also, Josh was such a big supporter of our adoption of Isaac. He was one of the only people who contacted Halis in Haiti while he was stuck there trying to bring our son home. He called me often to find out how I was holding up during my long days of waiting for Halis and Isaac to come home. And he became "Uncle Josh" when Isaac finally did come home. And boy, did he love Isaac. Basically, he just loved our growing family. And we loved (love) him.

As hard as it may be, we will try to put all the questions, heartache and regret aside so that we can honor him with open hearts. Thanks for taking the time to help us honor him by reading this small account of our appreciation of him.

Love,

Jodi