So today has been a strange day. I have felt sadness most of the day, wanting to be by myself.. Trying to understand why I still feel this way. It has been 5 years tomorrow since the passing of Joel. It is sort of strange because this is the first year that his anniversary actually falls on the same day of the week that he passed. So, I have been thinking about his amazing life not his death. I miss him terribly. I remember we were together the night of Saturday the 9th in 2003, exactly 5 years from this day. Jonathan, myself, Kristy and Joel were helping Lindsey and Keith move into their new apartment in Salt Lake. We spent the whole evening together having fun laughing. Joel would carry 3 boxes on top of each other down the ramp of the Uhaul. I remember cautioning him to be careful... It was such a great memory. He was always the practical joker, willing to help someone in need, the person that would pick up the hitchhikers and take them as far as he could or help someone fix their car. He lived everyday in the NOW. I love him so much. He is as always an example of how I want to live my life, in the now. To be glad for today..... I celebrate his wonderful life because it was that..
10 years ago
7 comments:
I'm not sure if you remember me I worked at Saturn with both Joel and Lindsay, I found your blog from Kristy's.
I was working really part time when Joel started so the first time I even met him we, along with a few other Saturn team members, went to the snowboard halfpipe Olympic event. I remember him telling me about his kids and Kristy and how much he loved them. We all had a really fun day that I will never forget.
I have many memories of Joel. I truly felt he was the brother I never got have. Anyway, a funny memory I have of Joel is...Brooke decided to take a shower in the middle of the day (I don't remember why, but she took one). Well, we had a fish tank that had a dead shark fish floating at the top.
Joel scooped the dead fish out of the tank with a cup and went into the bathroom where Broome was taking a shower. Joel threw the dead fish in and Brooke didn't even notice. Joel ran out of the bathroom, down the stairs and sat on the couch next to me where we waited for the scream. Sure enough it came...it was so funny. Joel and I were laughing so hard. Brooke stomped out asking who threw the dead fish on her and Joel said, "Ang!" Haha!
Years later, there was another dead fish in the tank and Brooke decided it was payback time. Brooke scooped the dead fish out of the tank and plopped it on Joel's dinner plate while he was looking the other way. Joel jumped when we saw the fish and chased Brooke around the house with it afterwards...good times!!
OH.... Joel!!!! What can I say? He was the best brother anyone could ask for. He filled all of his brotherly duties which included a lot of teasing (Lindsey and Summer could tell ya!) He also was the best uncle! I worried for any man that would have crossed me wrong in front of Joel. He was my true protector! I know that time will continue to pass and all of the younger generations will be filled with the great stories from us old timers. And what great stories they are!!! But only us old timers really will know the great man that Joel Dean was on this earth. I am privledge to be called his sister!!!!
Interesting that you said something about hitch hikers, b/c my first experience with a hitch hiker was with Joel. I was a little nervous, but Joel reassured me that nothing would happen to us, so I went along with it. Every memory I have of Joel is followed with a smile. I loved that we, my sisters and I, got to experience having a brother. I am so thankful that he was a big part of my everyday life. We always had a good time. No matter what.
Melanie, I never knew your brother but I am sorry you feel sad, I understand what you are going through.
Love Vanessa
Oh, Joel. Joe-Joe as grandpa used to call him when he was little. He was always busy doing something. I love the picture you posted. I will always remember him smiling that little boy smile! I remember when he brought Kristy to NM to meet grandma and grandpa for the first time. I took him aside and asked him if this was a serious romance and he looked me in the and said, "I sure hope so!" and look what happened after that! I miss him and all our loved ones who have died. It is good to remember!
I have a sad memory of Joel. It was after I spoke in sacrament meeting when I came home from my mission. The meeting was over and everyone was heading off to sunday school. There were several people there that wanted to talk with me. I saw Joel approaching me to talk to me. I made eye contact with him and then someone distracted me off to the side. Instead of visiting with Joel, I ended up talking with someone else. He could see that I was busy talking with someone and he went ahead and left. That would have been the last time I talked to Joel and I missed out on that conversation. I wish I had made a different decision that day. I love him and am excited to see him again so we can have that conversation that we would have had that day.
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