To celebrate one’s life, you must begin one’s journey from the very beginning which happened to be Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1991. On this day, my nephew, Joey, came into our lives as a skinny little baby boy with the sweetest smile and most beautiful eyes that warmed our hearts. There are so many wonderful memories to share that would warm your heart too.
Joey loved to ask questions, he loved adventure, and he really loved to dance, but most importantly, he loved life and lived every day to its fullest. He gave 100% in everything he accomplished during his short 26 years of life in this world.
One funny memory, to break away from the tears, is when we lived together in Arizona for about 3 months in which Joey would refer to me as “Hazel” in reference to the character from a 1960’s TV series who was a live in maid. During this time, I cooked for him, cleaned for him, ironed his clothes for him, and enjoyed taking care of him. He loved every minute of it as much as I did. Joey always looked like a gentleman as he took great pride in how he looked and presented himself. Oh he was so handsome! His eyes would sparkle with gratitude which warmed my heart, and his smile with his adorable dimples were so loving. I am grateful to have been blessed with our time alone together to show him my love for him and how special he was. I did forewarn him to please let me know either way if he would come home late at night or not at all. He laughed when I told him I would be armed with a frying pan if any unwanted visitors would attempt to come through our doors.
An unwanted visitor did come through our doors known as AL Amyloidosis which took Joey’s life within a few months of being diagnosed. It seemed like forever to diagnose this unwelcome visitor that was eating away at Joey’s body. It was a disease we had never heard of before, but we learned about it quickly.
Amyloidosis is a rare disease that needs more research, awareness, and early detection so that no other family loses a loved one to it. I hope and pray the Joseph Peter Bartzis Foundation will help attain early detection to fight off this unwelcome visitor and allow others to live longer than Joey.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Joey or pray for him. To celebrate the end of one’s life is difficult and painful for all, but cherishing the moments spent together always remain near. Knowing how many lives Joey touched is a tribute to the man he became. He came into our world full of love on Thanksgiving Day and left us knowing he was truly loved by his family, friends, doctors, and nurses which we are forever thankful for.
My heart is no longer whole as a piece of it left with Joey, my sweet angel, on February 27, 2018 to another world, unknown by scientist, called Heaven.
I love you forever,
-Theia Sandie AKA Hazel
