"Victims for Justice is an independent non-profit working to ensure Alaskans affected by violent crime get the support they need and deserve..." The memorial can be viewed at Hostetler Park in Anchorage at 3rd and L Street.
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| Photo found online at Facebook |
One service Victims for Justice provides is an annual memorial service as well as a memorial with the names of those who were victims of homicide engraved on it. At the service each year all the names are read aloud.
This was our first year to attend. Obviously, we expected it to be emotional. It was a BEAUTIFUL day. Many of our family gathered.
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| Noah, Larissa, Stacia, Arielle, Jenni, Cory, Charles, Jared Nolan, Jamin, Allie, Benny and Danny -several not pictured |
Noah wore crocs in honor of Uncle Josiah.
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| 📷by Larissa |
Our van arrived early, and we walked around the park in search of Josiah's name. I wasn't prepared for the impact of seeing his name engraved in stone...birth and death date. It's the first time I've seen it so permanent... it stung.
Josiah was so kind and gentle. He loved family, friends, and tenants. Dropped into any work situation - crew member to general manager at Chick Fil A, store manager at Walmart or community director at his last job - he would immediately build community. Before long there were BBQs, softball games and fishing trips. He was murdered at work. Work should be safe. He shouldn't be a victim of violent crime. It's not "right" or "ok" that Josiah is gone. I do believe that good can come from it, but no, it's not "good."
I miss everything about Josiah. I miss his smile. I miss his BIG laugh. I miss his gigantic hugs. I miss his voice calling out, "Hey, y'all." I miss his unassuming wisdom. I miss hearing about his dreams and watching him plan and charge towards those dreams. I miss him bouncing kids on the trampoline and leaning down from his great height to talk with a young nephew or niece. They loved to ride on uncle's shoulders. He loved us well.
I miss everything about Josiah. I miss his smile. I miss his BIG laugh. I miss his gigantic hugs. I miss his voice calling out, "Hey, y'all." I miss his unassuming wisdom. I miss hearing about his dreams and watching him plan and charge towards those dreams. I miss him bouncing kids on the trampoline and leaning down from his great height to talk with a young nephew or niece. They loved to ride on uncle's shoulders. He loved us well.
I heard the concept years ago that between birth and death is the dash...the dash represents all of life lived between the moment of birth and death. The poem, "Live Your Dash" by Linda Ellis, is not where I originally heard the concept to consider how I lived my "dash," but it captures the concept well. When I looked at his precious name etched on a memorial to homicide victims, I immediately noted the dash. Thirty-four years. It feels far too short.
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| 📷by Arielle |
Josiah lived his "dash" well. I find myself considering how I will fill the remainder of my dash. I'm doing much less than I have in years - by design. I'm prayerfully evaluating the things I've given my time to in the past and the most important ways to be investing my time in the future. However it ends up looking, I will attempt to fill my dash with the love, laughter and community Josiah displayed.
I came away from this day knowing I need to focus prayer and energy towards the trial. Hearing the details of his murder and the defense for the taking of his life is going to take more grit than I currently possess. Pray for the grit of the Goeckers.
Sunday was a busy day of church, Red Robin and Costco. Nolan walked in the door in time to discuss the political news with me - proving a liberal and a conservative CAN have an honest conversation while being polite and loving to each other.... just saying. ::snort:: Nolan went on to play a game of cribbage with Stacia, while Allie slaved away on her summer class. By the end of the evening, she'd gotten this upcoming week's work done! She's getting ahead so she doesn't have to worry about school while at Fish Camp. She'll have 9 classes left before she can apply for her cohort! She's ticking them down.
Today, I finally got all the paperwork I've been working on completed and faxed off. Now, we wait. Jamin came over and helped Michael work on changing the oil in the RV and other such RV prep things. I threw together a quick dinner. He stayed for dinner and Jenni came and joined us. When the conversation has been so wide-ranging no one but GG has pulled away from the table at 8:30 p.m. it's a good night.
Sunday was a busy day of church, Red Robin and Costco. Nolan walked in the door in time to discuss the political news with me - proving a liberal and a conservative CAN have an honest conversation while being polite and loving to each other.... just saying. ::snort:: Nolan went on to play a game of cribbage with Stacia, while Allie slaved away on her summer class. By the end of the evening, she'd gotten this upcoming week's work done! She's getting ahead so she doesn't have to worry about school while at Fish Camp. She'll have 9 classes left before she can apply for her cohort! She's ticking them down.
Today, I finally got all the paperwork I've been working on completed and faxed off. Now, we wait. Jamin came over and helped Michael work on changing the oil in the RV and other such RV prep things. I threw together a quick dinner. He stayed for dinner and Jenni came and joined us. When the conversation has been so wide-ranging no one but GG has pulled away from the table at 8:30 p.m. it's a good night.
GRACE NOTES:
- Community resources to help us walk uncharted paths
- Leisurely conversation around the table with adult children
- I am reading "Practicing the Way" and it's a breath of fresh air!
