Joey befriended me back in the good ole days of Twitter. We encouraged each other in our unique crafts and connected over a shared love of words and profound mysteries. I was unaware of his battle with cancer and it grieves my heart to know the world lost such a beautiful soul, father, and friend. Thank you for this touching tribute. 🕯️
Levi, wow. This is so moving to hear from someone who had any connection at all with Joey. It means so much to know that you and he connected over words and mysteries. He and I connected over words too (his poetry, my blogging) and our respective fatherhood journeys. Joey was a beautiful soul indeed. I sure hope his kids (who are 18-20ish) know how much their dad meant to some of us out here in virtual spaces. I wish I could find a way to contact them. I'm working on finding someone he knew IRL to touch base with. The investigation continues...
Jeremy, I just read this again for what seems like the hundredth time. As my husband said when I read it to him, "This describes Joey perfectly." As his mother, I hurt for his loss while trying very hard to celebrate his life. I deeply regret his early life and that I was not strong enough to remove us from the situation we were in. It affected all three of us - Joey, his sister and me - in profound and lasting ways. While I could not help his adult situation, I will always be sorry for his childhood. I adored my son and miss him greatly. I am going to intensive outpatient therapy to try to help me deal with the grief. This requiem helps me remember that no matter what, something must have been good in his childhood to have had him develop his God-given talents so well. Thank you for bringing him to life and honoring him.
Edie, thank you so much for these incredibly kind words. I can’t begin to imagine the depth of a mother’s grief. It means a great deal to me knowing that my words have, in any small way, helped you grieve and remember our dear Joey. He was one of a kind. Truly one of the most talented poets and songwriters I’ve ever encountered. But far more importantly, just a lovely person with a warm heart. He possessed such deep empathy and understanding. I wish you strength as you try to process the unimaginable. Joey will live in our hearts forever.
Thank you for this brief insight to my brother that I would have never seen otherwise. Thank you for being there for him at I time I could not. And thank you for finding me to share this.
Oh, my. I’m so very sorry to hear this and sorry for your deep loss. What a beautiful connection you had - a gift. He sounds like a lovely, beautiful soul.
Thank you so much, Ann. A gift indeed. Joey himself, and the unexpected and serendipitous connection we shared. He was a beautiful soul for sure. A diamond in the rough of social media. I'm so grateful Twitter (for all its toxic awfulness) allowed me to meet him.
Thank you, Catharine. I'm trying to just see our 3.5 year connection as a gift. But it's insanely unjust that a guy that sweet and that young had to be snatched from the earth.
Joey befriended me back in the good ole days of Twitter. We encouraged each other in our unique crafts and connected over a shared love of words and profound mysteries. I was unaware of his battle with cancer and it grieves my heart to know the world lost such a beautiful soul, father, and friend. Thank you for this touching tribute. 🕯️
Levi, wow. This is so moving to hear from someone who had any connection at all with Joey. It means so much to know that you and he connected over words and mysteries. He and I connected over words too (his poetry, my blogging) and our respective fatherhood journeys. Joey was a beautiful soul indeed. I sure hope his kids (who are 18-20ish) know how much their dad meant to some of us out here in virtual spaces. I wish I could find a way to contact them. I'm working on finding someone he knew IRL to touch base with. The investigation continues...
Jeremy, I just read this again for what seems like the hundredth time. As my husband said when I read it to him, "This describes Joey perfectly." As his mother, I hurt for his loss while trying very hard to celebrate his life. I deeply regret his early life and that I was not strong enough to remove us from the situation we were in. It affected all three of us - Joey, his sister and me - in profound and lasting ways. While I could not help his adult situation, I will always be sorry for his childhood. I adored my son and miss him greatly. I am going to intensive outpatient therapy to try to help me deal with the grief. This requiem helps me remember that no matter what, something must have been good in his childhood to have had him develop his God-given talents so well. Thank you for bringing him to life and honoring him.
Edie, thank you so much for these incredibly kind words. I can’t begin to imagine the depth of a mother’s grief. It means a great deal to me knowing that my words have, in any small way, helped you grieve and remember our dear Joey. He was one of a kind. Truly one of the most talented poets and songwriters I’ve ever encountered. But far more importantly, just a lovely person with a warm heart. He possessed such deep empathy and understanding. I wish you strength as you try to process the unimaginable. Joey will live in our hearts forever.
Thank you for this brief insight to my brother that I would have never seen otherwise. Thank you for being there for him at I time I could not. And thank you for finding me to share this.
Wow. What a wonderful tribute to one who sounds like a terrific human.
Thank you, Josh. He sure was. True blue all the way.
Oh, my. I’m so very sorry to hear this and sorry for your deep loss. What a beautiful connection you had - a gift. He sounds like a lovely, beautiful soul.
Thank you so much, Ann. A gift indeed. Joey himself, and the unexpected and serendipitous connection we shared. He was a beautiful soul for sure. A diamond in the rough of social media. I'm so grateful Twitter (for all its toxic awfulness) allowed me to meet him.
This is so sad and moving to read, Jeremy. He sounds like a lovely person and I'm sorry to hear of his death.
Thank you, my friend. Joey was lovely indeed. I appreciate you reading his elegy.
I'm so sorry you lost your friend :(
Thank you, Catharine. I'm trying to just see our 3.5 year connection as a gift. But it's insanely unjust that a guy that sweet and that young had to be snatched from the earth.
both-and, for sure. :(
A beautiful elegy to Joey. So glad you introduced him to those of us who didn't know him.