Fr. Joe Girzone was my great-uncle. He was a special person and role model to me as a child. My siblings and I were baptized by him at his home. When I was very young, probably around four years old, I would dress up in a white robe and say, “I want to be Uncle Joe when I grow up!” My fondest memories of him are times spent talking out on his porch, looking out at the beautiful view, and the walks he would take with me and my siblings exploring his property. Whenever we came over he would make a batch of his special fruit punch, and make sure to have a ton of candy waiting for us. I remember the way his face would light up at the opportunity to serve others.
What is so special to me about my Uncle Joe is that his influence in my life has become so much stronger since his passing. The night he passed away I said a prayer. It was something I didn’t typically do, but something inspired me to pray for him. To talk to him. Well, every single night since then, I have continued to pray. After he passed, I was blessed to meet some of the people who he loved most. These people, some of his dearest friends, inspired me endlessly with their obvious good and loving nature, and strong senses of faith. Through meeting special people like them, and through reading Joe’s books, even after passing, he helped me to find and build a strong sense of faith. And since then, when dark moments have come and faith has been difficult to hold onto, I still talk to him. I often find reminders of faith in the people I have been blessed to meet, and those little signs that we sometimes receive. Joe believed that our loved ones who have passed away have unique ways of showing us they are still with us. I have come to believe the same thing, and that belief has helped to get me through difficult times.
I am so honored to have been offered a position on the Joshua Foundation Board. When I look at our world today, I see a deep need for the values that my Uncle Joe believed so strongly in -- compassion, kindness, love, grace, humility, and mercy. It is my deep hope to be able to help carry on my uncle’s legacy through sharing the story and values of Joshua. I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve, and for the opportunity to continue to spend time with the good people that my Uncle Joe loved so much.
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