Joshua’s Story by Tonya Arthur
I am Tonya Arthur, and Joshua was my grandson. Joshua was born on August 7, 1993, to my eldest son James and his wife, Nicole.
I can recall a time when I was driving, and Joshua started singing to the song being played on the radio. I glanced back at him in his car seat, astonished.
He was Talented
Joshua was singing before he could even talk. I guess it came naturally. I can carry a tune, and his Dad could sing as well. But, I was amazed at the time. Joshua grew up to become a caring and kind young man. Everyone called him their tall, gentle teddy bear. He had a beautiful smile and offered big bear hugs, and it warmed many hearts.
My Time With Him
Joshua and his older brother Ryan, spent a lot time with me as I lived close to them. I picked them up all the time to spend the weekend with me. I enjoyed cooking large breakfasts for them because those boys could eat.
Joshua’s Love for Music
During Joshua’s high school years, his love of music became an outlet for him. He started writing songs and producing short videos with his friends.
The hip-hop phenomenon had grabbed Joshua and his buddies. Using his musical gifts, Joshua sang gospel in church and hip-hop and R&B with his friends. He also loved basketball, and with his height, it turned him into a good solid player.
Graduation Days
During his last year at high-school, he was happy that he was about to graduate and go to college. Attending his high school prom was foremost on his mind, and so was his first girlfriend. I can still see him smiling as he tried on tuxedos for prom night.
Soon after his prom was over, Joshua’s uncle took him and his little brother, Lance, who was five at the time, to Baldwin, Michigan. It was a place we all called up north affectionately. Joshua’s Grandpa had a home up north just as his Great-Granddad had before Joshua was even born.
The Incident
Joshua sent me a text while up north fishing. He sent a picture of a little fish that he had caught out on the lake in his Granddad’s fishing boat. I responded to make sure he wore a hat and sunscreen. In typical fashion for me, I asked about his final exams. He replied he was going to take his final exams the following week.
In a text message, he shared that his uncle wanted to take him and his little brother out of the city for a little while to have some fun before finals. Joshua sent me another video text of his little brother and his uncle on a four-wheeler riding and having fun. We signed off, and little did we know what would happen the very next day.
The following day, all I can remember is that I had taken a nap. I had put my cellphone on silent mode and woke up to look at my cell, which had 20 missed calls and messages. Just as I was listening to the messages, my son called me from Joshua’s cellphone.
Naturally, I stopped the playback and took his call. The first thing my son asked me was whether I had heard what happened? I said no, what happened? He proceeded to explain that he and Joshua had been on the lake, and he was pulling Joshua behind him while he was driving a jet-ski.
Joshua had fallen off, and he said he told Joshua to keep his life-jacket on as it was crooked, and he would turn around and come back and get him. He said the lake was very crowded that summer day, unlike anything he had previously seen. It took a while to maneuver the jet-ski to turn around in all the boat traffic on the lake. He had told me by the time he was heading back to Joshua, he could see he was struggling. He said he saw Joshua’s face, and his eyes were like saucers just as he went down in the water right before his eyes.
He explained that he dove down to get him since he was an excellent swimmer. However, he couldn’t see Joshua. With all the lake traffic, the water wasn’t clear. He said he came up for air and dove back down to find Joshua and still couldn’t find him to pull him out of the water. After the third time, he told me he had to give up, he couldn’t see anything in the murky water. He had strained his lungs to the limit underwater, trying to find Joshua all while his little brother watched from the shore.
Joshua was gone. Never to smile or sing again. Joshua’s death was heartbreaking and even more so knowing that his little brother watched. His uncle was inconsolable.
Overcoming the Loss
The news that evening in upper Michigan did broadcast the tragic accident. It is my understanding that laws have been changed regarding boat traffic and the like in the county. I haven’t been able to go back up north yet. But, I will do so to honor Joshua’s legacy and life. I plan on placing a marker of some sort near the lake in Joshua’s honor.
After Joshua’s death, his little brother, Lance, quite naturally didn’t want to go near any body of water. He didn’t want to hear the word ‘beach.’
To ease his fears, I started teaching him how to swim in a small swimming pool meant for children at my recreation center. I refused to allow him to be afraid of the water. He was able to walk into the water up to his waist at that pool, which was a Godsend.
Instructing, my youngest grandson, brought about my mission and passion that everyone should know how to swim. Everyone should know how to float. Everyone should know about life-saving swimming skills. I’ll always wonder if Joshua would still be with us today if he, did he, couldn’t he?
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