Letter to my Momma:

This letter was read at my mom's Celebration of Life service on 08/25/12. She called me her little mighty writer, but this was the hardest thing I've ever had to put words to:

My sweet Momma Dearest,

You have always been one of my all-time favorite people to make memories with. I felt like I could be my goofy self with you--you always reminded me not to take myself too seriously and to relax. I'm also forever grateful that you and dad worked so hard to create a comfortable environment for me to grow up in.

Finding the right college was a very confusing time for me, but I'm so thankful you were there, because it created some of our best memories. We went to Chicago, and you had to figure out how to drive in Chicago traffic. We rented a car - that was a poor choice. I wasn't sure if Chicago was the place for me or not, but together we kept finding things with the word "joy" on them, like Joy Cafe and LoveJoy Rd. You told me that Chicago had my name all over it, like a letter signed from God. And you were right. I've been surrounded by some of the most wonderful people on this planet, and you saw me achieve some of my dreams.

I will hold onto the last thing you wrote on my Facebook wall 2 weeks ago: "I love you Joy, and am going to miss your energy and zest for life and love. We made memories this summer and I am so proud of you!!"

I know you were hurting so badly for a lot of your life, but you fought and you taught me how to fight. You always knew the truth in your heart, and you really let God carry you. I'll never understand what you were going through or why you had to go now, but I wouldn't trade the 21 years I had with you, standing by you and fighting, for anything.

Last week, I got you a card that I found at the Trinity bookstore, and it has a picture that you always loved of Snoopy holding on to a tree, almost being blown away but not letting go, and it says "Faith is..." above it. I was going to send that card to you this week, and on the inside I had written "God's got you--don't let go." But now I know that's definitely true, and I am so glad you're not sick anymore.

I'll never forget the way you chased after the little things in life. How you laughed every time you watched Snoopy's Thanksgiving special when he couldn't open all the chairs at the table. Thanks for all the milkshakes, laughs, Royals games, road trips, Facebook encouragement, countdowns, all our dance parties--even though you only had one dance move, for loving me and laughing at me when I called you from college after having too much coffee and pulling an all-nighter, for teaching me perseverance by living it out yourself, for teaching me what my name truly means--Jesus first Yourself last and Others In between, and for all the adventures. I mourn today because you are no longer here with me, but I rejoice knowing you are in the arms of the Great Shepherd now. Thanks for being a wonderful mom.

Ich Liebe Dich,

Joy Joy