Josh moves in − 1 June, 2001

I've always had a close relationship with my nephew. I was there the day he was born. We lived under the same roof for over five years. Even after getting my own place, I saw him everyday. He was just another extension of me in many ways. Once I moved several hours away, it was hard being away from him. I talked to him every week and would visit every couple months. It was always so hard leaving though. He would just grab me around my neck and not let go. It was so heartbreaking saying goodbye to him.

In March 2000, my sister decided she didn't want to be a mom anymore to this wonderful little boy. She decided her husband was more important, so she literally walked out the door. Fortunately, my mom was there so she able to keep Josh's life stable. My sister would wander in every couple months and then not call or come by for awhile. My mom was becoming fairly neurotic about rushing home from work and trying to make Josh's life be as normal as possible. After a rough school year, I suggested Josh move in with me. Somewhere along the line, I spoke to my sister and told her I thought that was best. In June 2001, I drove to El Paso for about a week's visit. We came back with Josh and as much of his stuff that would fit in my truck.

Josh is very much like one of my own children. I hope he knows that.

Oh yeah...and as Brian says, he's a Raiders fan. When Josh moved in, he always complained because football games would take too long. By the next year, he was ready for football. Somehow in that year I didn't brainwash him into being a Cowboys fan. He decided he liked the Raiders. I had to decorate his room in Raider memorabilia and he now has tons of Raider things and jerseys (although he has decided to stop asking for jerseys because everytime he gets someone new, they go somewhere else the next year).

Posted on September 5, 2006. and has been viewed 183 times.