Being a momma the BEST part of my life

At the age of four Justin heard the first monster in his room!  Like most children Justin entered a phase which made him fearful of the dark.  He imagined there were monsters in his closet and under his bed.  Could be; one never knows what lurks in the dark!

His anxiety, of course, caused me concern and pushed me to come up with a solution to ease his night-time worries. I thought a lot about how to help Justin and finally came up with a simple plan that I truly hoped would help Justin.

I bought a spray can of cinnamon scented room spray.  I took a piece of plain copy paper, wrote 'MONSTER-RID' at the top and drew a picture of a cartoon monster; I topped it with the O crossed with \ like one sees on no smoking signs.  Then I taped the paper around the can and took it in to show Justin and tell him about this magic spray I had found that protects children from bedtime monsters while they slept.

Every night, for months, I diligently sprayed the 'monster-rid' in Justin's room, his closet and under his bed. Justin never worried again or gave a second thought to those old monsters again and slept soundly through the nights.  Not to mention Justin's bedroom smelled really great all the time, too!   Do something special for your child to show how much you love them and how happy you are they are a part of your life.

Most times love from the heart offers the simplest solution ending with the best results.

I wish there really was a spray to rid us of monsters like the one you encountered honey in your home on January 11, 2011.

I love you my Justin and miss you more with each passing day....I was looking forward to doing all the things we had planned over the years...now I do not want to do anything without you here honey.

I miss you and love you 'bigger than the universe' Babe, I remain Justin's momma

Justin Told the Truth

Cumberland Hall UMD College Park, MD Freshman Year [Fall 2006]~DORM LIFE

My home telephone rings:

me, "hello?"

A very excited and out of breath Justin, "HEY momma!  What are you doing?"

me, "Not much honey just hanging out; what are you doing?"

In a true Justin tone of glee he responds, "OH MOMMA!  YOU'RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE WHAT WE'RE DOIN'!!"

In my mind I am thinking OH MY GOODNESS???  Suddenly my imagination kicks into overdrive and I envision [at the speed of a second hands tick] everything I could be doing that would cause me to reach this level of excitement.  Trust me when I add; the odds are coming out to equal=NOT GOOD?

In an energetic voice and completely winded Justin barely gasps, "MOMMA, we put baby powder all over the hallway floor and then we hold our mattress start running and jump on them and slide down the hall!  My room mate Mayokun just busted his head on the concrete wall!!!

me; with my jaw agape I finally manage to say, "Oh MY GOSH Honey....is he okay?"

Justin laughing hysterically calmly states, "On yeah momma he'll be fine he just has a big knot."

To which I responded [with mild hysteria] while attempting to envision Justin's version of a knot and my version of a knot in my mind, "Honey, is this what we sent you to college for...."

Sheepishly Justin replied, "Aw momma.....he's okay.   We're just having some fun."

Left to Right:  My dear Justin, My wonderful Mayokun and My sweet Patrick.  Yes and they are covered in powder!

me, "Um....I know honey but there may be moments in college that you would rather not share with your momma!?!"

Second of silence....
 
Then we both BUSTED OUT laughing...oh the innocence of youth.

He and Mayokun developed a wonderful lasting relationship during their freshman year; true brothers for life!

Remind me one day and I will share Mayokun telling at Justin's memorial, on January 20, 2011 at the beautiful Chapel on the campus of UMd where he had everyone laughing with his college stories, how he tried to get Justin to toss aside his studies and just have college FUN!  [His attempts, although numerous and creative, never worked!] 

I miss you Babe...A LOT, so much it is painful.  I miss your calls, I won't get started cause you know I miss everything about you son, but your calls were always special.  A way for you to tell me you thought of me, wanted to share a moment of your life with me and say love you.  I truly appreciated this part of our relationship more than I will ever be able to express to you honey, or anyone for that matter, in words.  I can't stop thinking of you and all the 'what ifs'....I love you honey and I know you're fine; I just wish you had never had to leave us and especially in such a horrible manner...  Nothing is fun or funny anymore honey...Thank you Babe for 22 years of smiles, laughs, gut laughs and please please I have to stop laughing my face hurts!!  I love you Justin, my son, my constant...momma    

"The measure of life..."

Honey on January 16, 2011 as I slid across the seat of the funeral home limo, heading to the cemetery on that horrible day, something caught my eye and took me by complete surprise....the "key to your heart charm" fell from my bracelet onto my lap. This key would be the first of many gifts you have sent me since you left to go home. I wish you had not had to leave me here alone; while you were here with me life was so joyous and magically wondrous and always filled with love and laughter. 

With deep and profound thoughts of you, Justin, on this day [September 11, 2013] marking two years and seven months since you went Home. I cannot help but wonder how much more honey you could have accomplished in this time now gone. Would you have the job of your dreams, would you have met your soul mate, would you be making wedding plans or would you already be wed as we awaited your first born child, would you still be composing wondrous music, would you still be......aw honey I can only dream about you and what your life could have become.

"The measure of a life is dependent on how far you will go each day to become a better person. How many people you treat with kindness and how much closer you get to learning how to forgive both yourself and others." ~Unknown

Your leaving created a hole in my heart that grows larger with each passing day. I miss you today [like I do every day]. Your leaving has created a hole in my heart that grows larger with each passing day. I love you Justin [unconditionally] from the very depths of my soul. 

I am and will be throughout eternity your devoted momma  

Justin DeSha-Overcash on the left with a fellow alumni of the University of Maryland [College Park] Observatory.