Your 1st Birthday in Heaven

I can't think of a better way to celebrate Josh's 28th birthday than to ask everyone who knew Josh, or has been inspired by him, to donate $28 or $280 to Josh's legacy, the Josh Powell Foundation*. Anyone who donates today will receive a JPF Keep Going wristband free of charge. (All donors, please email your mailing address and size of wristband (small or large) to joshpowellfoundation@gmail.com) * To donate: https://www.gofundme.com/josh-powell-foundation * To learn more visit: joshpowellfoundation.org

Dear Josh, Today, September 11, 2017 would've been your 28th birthday. We met just three days after your 25th, so this would've been your third birthday we'd be celebrating together. For your 26th birthday, I lined the stairway at the Glencarron house with 26 balloons and 26 post-it notes with 26 reasons why I love you. I decorated the entire downstairs with ninja turtle party supplies, and Mom got you a ninja turtle cake.

For your 27th birthday, you weren't feeling the best so we invited all of your friends over to our apartment to watch football out by the pool, and my sister flew in from Vegas to surprise us. I took a Polaroid picture of everyone who attended, and Brody tried to eat all of your balloons.

This year for your 28th birthday, I'm going to visit you at Arlington National Cemetery. This is the first time I'll be seeing your headstone in person. This has been a very emotional week for me as I picture how different my life would be if you were still here. The truth is, none of this is fair. You should still be here, and we should be celebrating another year of your life in some extravagant way because that's what you deserve. However, a little piece of me finds peace in knowing that you are no longer in pain and suffering, and I'm certain that Heaven is throwing you the most badass 28th birthday party there ever was. Since I can't top that, tomorrow, I'm going to the Washington Nationals game. This will be Stadium #23 and they're playing your favorite team, the Braves! I wish more than anything that you could come with me... as I do with every new adventure I go on. My sister is going to be filling in for you this time, and I know that would make you happy. Everyday here on earth is painfully lonely without you, but I promise that big things are happening in your honor. So many lives are about to be changed, and I can't wait for you to see it all unfold.

I love you more than anything in this world babe... Happy 28th Birthday!

Love always, Babe Unicorn