Home!
After 7 months and 6 days, Josh is finally home! Josh was transferred to the VA in Fayetteville on Monday afternoon and has now been discharged home. The transition went fairly smoothly but Josh is tired from the travel and the change of schedule, so we will be working over these next few days to get him back into a rhythm. We are also currently working on Josh's therapy schedule and trying to figure out a way to organize visitors. We know folks want to come see Josh and we want to make sure folks have plenty of opportunity to do so but also try to give Josh some normalcy.
We are all smiles over here! It has been a difficult 7 months and we have prayed for this day to come for a while now. We breathe a sigh of relief having Josh home, but know that we have a long way to go! Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow we get back to work!
When people ask me what has been the most surprising about the last 7 months, I usually say that its the people we have crossed paths with during this time. One of those interactions came about 2 weeks ago, as I was driving back to work from lunch. I got a call from an unknown number and hesitantly answered. It was a reporter from 40/29 (local news station in NWA) and she wanted to do a story on Josh. In the last 2 weeks, she has interviewed friends, family, and taken video and pictures to do a story on Josh and the past 7 months. It will air on 40/29 tomorrow night (Thursday) at 6 and 10 pm! Wow! I am both excited and very nervous - I don't regularly spend time in front of a camera.
I also wanted to share some details about a big fundraiser for Josh here in Northwest Arkansas. Some wonderful friends and family have organized a fundraiser - Josh's Bear Claw Benefit - for Thursday night next week. So many people have reached out to help organize and donate their time, energy, and money to make this possible. Because of all of their, and so many others', hard work and generosity, nearly everything for the fundraiser has been donated and 100% of the proceeds from the ticket sales and silent auction items will go to support Josh's recovery.
Event Details:
Josh's Bear Claw Benefit
Date: Thursday, May 11th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm
Location: Sassafras Springs Vineyard in Springdale, AR (at the Stables)
Ticket: $30, includes Dinner and Live Music, Cash Bar
There will be a silent auction and door prizes thanks to so many incredible family, friends and local business who have given to make this event possible.
Tickets can be purchased at: https://bearclaw.ticketspice.com/joshs-bearclaw-benefit
Or in person at Josh's schools in Springdale: TG Smith Elementary, Helen Tyson Middle School, Central Jr. High, and Har-Ber High School.
It's 9:30 now and Josh is peacefully sleeping at home and we are filled with such joy.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
All In For Josh