This world can be a tough place to live in.

Day by day, we are told to keep moving, run faster, and jump higher.
The constant rotation can build up negativity and pure sadness.
But, there are days that the sun begins to shine a little brighter and the air becomes a little sweeter.

These days are possible because of the people in our world that pull back the clouds.

Joey, you are one of those people.

You find the light in every dark scenario. A maturity I have yet to find within myself.
An inner peace and joy were found in you the day you were brought into our family.
You showed us what it means to love unconditionally, especially to those that pull us down.

You have fought through so much, that I do not believe you know how much strength you have in you.
You have been through so many of life's tumultuous fights, and you won every single one of them.
Not only did you leave with a win, but you always hugged the opponent against you.
You were not only the one people held, but you held others when their head hung low.

The days that I fell to my knees in pain from very bad days in high school, you continued to tell me affirmations how I was a beautiful person, in my heart and my appearance.
You were the cheerleader for me, before I could be one for myself.

You have shown me what it means to tend and care for others.
You have shown me determination and strength, things you shouldn't have had to obtain at such a young age.
You have shown me how to put a smile on my face when others took that away from me.
You have shown me how to love my greatest enemies, even if one of the enemies was myself.

I pray that one day I can have the amount of kindness and love you have for this world.

Never let this world take that away from you, Joey.