Young Josh

He was the first person I saw every morning at HyVee when I went for coffee about five years ago. He and his dad Pat both worked in the HyVee kitchen. Josh was still a young teen. Tall kinda gangly. Ears that stuck out a little. Smile. And great dimples that were always there because Josh had a great smile and personality.

He was a good student, too. Most of his grades were in the A range and some type of advanced education was in his plans. He was going to be a winner. He had all of the characterists of a winner.

Pat moved on to another HyVee store across town and Josh went with him. I stopped at that store a couple of times just to say hello. The instant Josh saw me, the grin and the dimples both started. I took a couple of minutes to chat with him and see how things were going. He was doing fine and liked the new store.

I saw Pat today at the University. Pat works there now. He sat down for a couple of minutes and chatted. It's been a few years so there was some catching up to do. I thought Pat looked a little sad in his eyes. Then he told me about Josh.

Josh started using drugs. He was trying to get free from cocaine and moved back into the family house. He had been going to Southeast Community College. Pat thought he was doing fine.

But clearly he wasn't. Josh took his own life. He was 22. What an awful tragedy. What a God awful trajedy.