Joseph William DeMatthews

GOOD MORNING MY SWEET BOY,

IT IS SATURDAY 1-4-06. THIS IS WHEN I REALY MISS YOU ON THE WEEKENDS WHEN I WAS HOME FROM WORK AND WE SPENT ALOT OF TIME TOGETHER. I COOKED FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU WERE ALWAYS HUNGRY. SO I WOULD MAKE YOU A BIG BREAKFAST. THEN YOU WOULD GO TO THE GYM. YOU WERE ALWAYS ON THE CELL. SOMETIMES I WOULD YELL AND TELL YOU TO TURN IT OFF, SO WE CAN TALK WITHOUT BEING BOTHERED BY THE PHONE RINING EVERY SECOND. YOU HAD SO MANY FRIENDS. YOU WERE THE SWEETEST KID NOT JUST BECAUSE YOU WERE MINE.YOUR BROTHER IS THE SAME WAY. HERE IS ANOTHER WEEKEND THAT I AM GOING TO TRY AND MAKE IT THROUGH WITHOUT YOU WITH ME. YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY HEART AND I WILL ALWAYS CARRY YOU WITH ME UNTIL WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN. MARK AND HIS WIFE ARE COMING OVER THIS MORNING TO TALK WITH ME AND DAD I'M PRAYING THAT GIVES ME A LITTLE PEACE. UNTIL I TALK WITH YOU AGAIN. I LOVE ALWAYS AND FOREVER MOM.

HI MY DEAR BOY,

IT IS 1-3-06, THE DAYS ARE FLYING BY. I AM TRYING TO GET UP EVERY DAY AND GO TO WORK AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME. I MISS YOU SO MUCH. I CAN'T IMAGE A DAY WITHOUT YOUR SMILING FACE TALKING WITH ME. I HOPE TO BE WITH YOU SOON. YOUR BROTHER AND FATHER ARE HAVING A HARD TIME TO. WE ALL MISS YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND FOREVER. I WILL TALK WITH LATER. LOVE ALWAYS MOM.

MY DEAR BABY BOY,

I HAVEN'T WRITTEN YOU IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, I HAVE BEEN VERY SICK. TODAY IS SUNDAY 1-23-06. TODAY I WOKE UP AND WENT RIGHT TO THE COMPUTER BEFORE I DO ANYTHING. I AM GOING TO CHURCH TODAY WITH MARK AND HIS WIFE. MAYBE THAT WILL HELP. IT'S THE ONE YOU USED TO GO TO WITH HIM. I AM TRYING TO MAKE IT EVERYDAY BUT IT IS VERY HARD. I MISS YOU TOO MUCH. I MISS YOU LAYING ON MY BED WITH ME AND TELLING ME ABOUT YOUR DAY. IM SURE BELLA IS MISSING YOU SO MUCH. HEARING YOU COME HOME CALLING HER NAME AND THEN TAKING HER TO YOUR ROOM. YOUR ROOM IS ALMOST DONE. WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE TILE GUY. THEN I WILL BE SITTING IN YOUR ROOM EVERY DAY AND I WILL HAVE MY TALKS WITH YOU. I HOPE YOU ARE WAITING FOR ME THAT'S WHAT THEY TELL ME. SO I HOLD ON TO THAT. I WILL TALK TO YOU LATER. I ALWAYS LOVE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. YOU ARE PART OF ME. I LOVE YOU. ALWAYS MOM

Dear Debbie,

I first meet your son five years ago at publix.He was so nice to me and made me feel
so welcome in Port St Lucie.What a friendly
guy, when I was down after I lost my baby he always had a kind word or would just give me a hug.Some how it always made me feel better
now as I sit here tring to give you words tosooth your grief I'm crying as I now the pain of your loss.He was larger than life
my heart hurts for you and your family.Know that he would want us to all think of the joy he brought to you.As time goes on the pain will become bearable.Joe was a wonderful person,with the biggest heart,and never wanted to see any one cry...
He would if he could try to hold every last one of us,to keep us from crying..
Joe asked me one night about two years ago to help him out,you see two little girls would not leave him alone at work.I was on my way out of the store and he looked upset
I asked what was wrong,he told me the girls wouldn't leave him alone.I told him i would help,so he walked over and told them I was his wife and that I would get mad if they didn't leave him alone.They asked me if I was his wife and I said yes.They didn't nag him any more. The running joke was Joe here comes your wife. He would always give me a hug and was always a gentle man,if only GOD didn't need our gentle gaint.May God be with you and your family in your time of grief,I will pray and cry at the same time that your
grief will end soon.With great love and
respect for you and your family.
Judi....

My Dearest Family,
Some things I'd like to say but first of all to let you know
that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from Heaven where I dwell with God above where there's no more tears or sadness, there is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight,
remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you
when my life on Earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me
and He said "I welcome you.

It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone,
as for your dearest family
they'll be here later on.

I need you here so badly
as part of My big plan,
there's so much that we have to do
to help our mortal man."

Then God gave me a list of things
He wished for me to do,
and foremost on that list of mine
is to watch and care for you.

And I will be beside you
every day and week and year,
and when you're sad,
I'm standing there
to wipe away the tear.
And when you lie in bed at night,
the days chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you
in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on Earth
and all those loving years,
because you're only human
they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry,
it does relieve the pain,
but remember there would be no flowers,
unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you
of all that God has planned,
but if I were to tell you,
you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain,
though my life on Earth is o'er.
I am closer to you now
than I ever was before.

And to my very many friends,
trust God knows what is best.
I'm still not far away from you,
I'm just beyond the crest.

There are rocky roads ahead of you,
and many hills to climb,
but together we can do it
taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy
and I'd like it for you too,
that as you give unto the World
so the World will give to you.

If you can help somebody
who is in sorrow or in pain,
then you can say to God at night
my day was not in vain.

And now I am contented
that my life it was worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody
who is down and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up
as on your way you go.

When you are walking
down the street and you've got me on your mind, I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind.

And when you feel the gentle breeze
or the wind upon your face,
that's me giving you a great big hug
or just a soft embrace.

And when it's time for you to go
from that body to be free,
remember you're not going,
you are coming here to me,
And I will always love you
from that land way up above.

Dear Joey

I just wanted to express my condolences and to say how sorry that I am. No one should ever have to go through this. I did not know Joe but I can tell he was very very loved by his family and friends and that he will be missed. Remember only the good die young.....

A letter from Heaven


My Dearest Family,
Some things I'd like to say but first of all to let you know
that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from Heaven where I dwell with God above where there's no more tears or sadness, there is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight,
remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you
when my life on Earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me
and He said "I welcome you.

It's good to have you back again,
you were missed while you were gone,
as for your dearest family
they'll be here later on.

I need you here so badly
as part of My big plan,
there's so much that we have to do
to help our mortal man."

Then God gave me a list of things
He wished for me to do,
and foremost on that list of mine
is to watch and care for you.

And I will be beside you
every day and week and year,
and when you're sad,
I'm standing there
to wipe away the tear.
And when you lie in bed at night,
the days chores put to flight,
God and I are closest to you
in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on Earth
and all those loving years,
because you're only human
they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry,
it does relieve the pain,
but remember there would be no flowers,
unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you
of all that God has planned,
but if I were to tell you,
you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain,
though my life on Earth is o'er.
I am closer to you now
than I ever was before.

And to my very many friends,
trust God knows what is best.
I'm still not far away from you,
I'm just beyond the crest.

There are rocky roads ahead of you,
and many hills to climb,
but together we can do it
taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy
and I'd like it for you too,
that as you give unto the World
so the World will give to you.

If you can help somebody
who is in sorrow or in pain,
then you can say to God at night
my day was not in vain.

And now I am contented
that my life it was worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody
who is down and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up
as on your way you go.

When you are walking
down the street and you've got me on your mind, I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind.

And when you feel the gentle breeze
or the wind upon your face,
that's me giving you a great big hug
or just a soft embrace.

And when it's time for you to go
from that body to be free,
remember you're not going,
you are coming here to me,
And I will always love you
from that land way up above.

MY BABY BOY,

IT IS 1-25-06. ANOTHER DAY GOES BY AND I GET CLOSER TO BEING WITH YOU. IT'S ANOTHER DAY IN FLORIDA MEANING THE SAME OLD WEATHER. I HAVE TO MAKE MYSELF GET UP EVERYDAY JUST TO GO TO WORK. MY HEART IS JUST BROKE. THE PAIN I HAVE EVERYDAY IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE DISCRIBED. YOU WILL LOVE YOUR ROOM WHEN IT IS DONE. I WILL SIT IN THERE EVERYDAY DAY AND I WILL BE ABLE TO TALK WITH YOU.I JUST WANT TO PUT MY ARMS AROUND YOU AND HOLD YOU LIKE I USE TO EVEN IF I WAS UPSET WITH YOU.I LOVE YOU WITH ALL WHAT IS LEFT OF MY HEART. I WILL TALK TO YOU LATER. FOREVER YOUR LOVING MOM. I WILL SEE YOU SOON. SO YOU WAIT FOR ME. I LOVE YOU FOREVER!

MY BABY BOY,

MY DEAREST SON JOE,

I MISS YOU SO MUCH MY HEART ACHES EVERY DAY FOR YOU. A TAKE A DAY BY DAY THAT'S ALL I CAN DO RIGHT KNOW. MY BIG GENTLE BEAR MY SWEET CHILD YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET. I WILL BE WITH YOU SOON WAIT FOR.

LOVE YOUR MOTHER FORVER.

Dear Joe,

Joe and I became friends by working together at Publix. Being new to Florida he became a very good friend to me and my daughter. There is nothing he would not do for us. Joe and I had many talks about everything and I will miss that very much. I will always treasure the fun times we had together. His smile, his laugh and of course his tattoos will be remembered forever by everyone. He will be greatly missed!

Dear Joe,

to tell you all how sorry i am of the loss of Joe. He worked with my mom at Publix and was a good friend of hers. I am so sad that he is gone. I didnt know Joe very well but he worked out at the gym i work out at and i got to know him alittle through my mom. I am praying for his family daily and want you all to know he will never be forgotten.
May God be with you all,

Aubree Gallagher

Dear Joey,

We knew little that morning that God would call your name.In we loved you dearly,in death we'll do the same. it breaks our hearts to loose you,but you do not go alone. For part of us go with you,now that He has called you home. You've left us beautiful memories,you love has been our guide.And though we may not see you there,you forever by our sides.The family chains are broken now and nothing may seem the same, But as He calls us one by one,the chain will link again.

Dear Joe,

what can i say.. u know you r and will be missed by many..obviously by me most. everday i miss u more n more the days but my feelings never change. i will always miss you u ..think about u.. what we had..what the future could have been. i wish i could change so many things but its too late now. its all i woulda couldas..ya know. well i say all the time n always will..i love u with all my heart, we will be together again, wait for me ok. your loving fiance, danielle

My Dear Joe,

MY BABY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME. IT'S JUST THAT I MISS YOU DEEPLY. MY HEART IS BROKE WITHOUT YOU. YOUR BROTHER AND ME COMFORT EACH OTHER. I WILL CARRY YOU ALWAYS.

Dear Joe,

I sit here and think about you every single day. It doesn't seem real,but my heart knows it's real.Even though we weren't close the last several years,you were always in my heart. Knowing you were out there and seeing you now and then was enough."yes that's my nephew."I'd say proud with a smile.Well it seems all I hear from your mom is ,"He's just like his aunt"!I guess we wer'e brats!I love hearing that!And who got you into the Dallas Cowboys! See there is a bond!Ya know whats neat is seeing you in my sons,they will make you proud.I will always be sad because your gone,but I also believe I will see you again someday,with your beautiful smile! Please help us to get through, joe, see ya later. Love Ya

Dear Joe,

You will always be in my thoughts and prayers, we miss you dearly.

Your friend Krista Hoffman

Hi Debbie

Thank you for the kind words & candles for my mom.  I was on mem.com looking into a site for my mom there when I came accross your Joey - I was shocked when I saw what happened. Actually I had met you yrs ago at a Webcraft christmas party - I think the only one they ever had - I had worked with your husband there in Metuchen.  You were such a nice person then & still are.  It broke my heart to hear of your loss - & to hear how you were doing at times. I was worried for you - but you seem to be a little better now.  I know your heart aches for your son every minute but Joey would want you to take care of yourself - remember he's watching over you - all the angels are.  And you do have friends on this site to help you. 

Again take care of yourself - I'll be thinking of our angles everyday.

Diane