FRANKLIN — Jay and Kathy Keller of Franklin, Idaho, have been reading a lot of Christmas cards to their son, Josh. Since his love for cards has been shared on news stations from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City, mailmen have been busy delivering cards of all kinds to the young man.

“Yesterday he received 94 cards. Today is another 30 cards. It has been absolutely wonderful,” said Kathy on Dec. 21.

According to their Facebook page, Joshua Says hello, and he has received at least 452 cards.

Two years ago, the Kellers decided to donate $1 per card Josh receives, up to $500, to a fund they use to purchase toys and other items for children who experience trauma in their own lives.

Josh enjoys shopping for the items with his parents. Last year blankets, stuffed animals, coloring books and crayons were presented to the Franklin County Ambulance Association– where Kathy once worked. The Kellers say they decided to support the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office this year because, “they are kind of awesome. It’s a hard job they do,” said Kathy.

“They’ve responded many times when the ambulance has been called to our house. So we decided Franklin County Sheriff’s Office would be the recipient. These people deserve respect and kindness. They show up for usually negative situations. They deserve great blessings. It doesn’t matter if there’s rain, snow or sunshine, they show up. To our family, it’s really quite disturbing how the current society is pegging them. People don’t realize how blessed we are to have the services we have,” said Kathy.

Sheriff Dave Fryar took his department to Keller’s home and made Josh an honorary deputy last week.

“We had a great time with Josh,” said Fryar.

He and his deputies have gotten to know Josh through the Lunch with a Cop program that his department sponsors for area residents with disabilities. “We enjoy the love, goodness, and forgiveness they have, and just being around good people,” Fryar said.

Josh thoroughly enjoys the interaction as well, and the cards, they are just his thing, Kathy said.

“It’s personal, he realizes that when he signs and gives a card, it comes from him to whomever it goes. He loves us to read them to him. When we send a post card to family and friends, he thinks its neat,” Kathy said.

Over the years, as family and friends have discovered the joy their correspondence brings him, they have invited their friends to be a part of fun.

The cards have arrived from all over the world: Canada, Japan, Australia, Sweden, South Korea, Finland, and New Zealand.

This holiday has been joyous, humbling and exhausting, said Kathy. Before they got through all the cards that arrived on Wednesday, Josh was out of energy.

“It’s beautiful and glorious to see people’s kindness and generosity. Poor Josh last night was so tired. We spent three plus hours doing cards,” said Kathy.

She says each card is considered.

“He can tell the difference between a jovial Santa card or reindeer card and one that has a nativity or Christ in it. He realizes reverence,” said Kathy.

And cards with animals are always a hit. “He loves animals, she said. “He just gets a kick out of them.”

She said a school class in Preston sent him a surfing Santa card.

“He laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed,” she said.

Josh has received cards from individuals as well as from classes of children in Preston, Filer High School, police departments in the region, and a growing circle of friends.

“We are just an average family that started out struggling in this world and now we are at a point that we want to pay it forward,” stated Jay.

Josh, 25, was born with a rare disease called Mowat-Wilson Syndrome, which is actually a partial deletion of the ZEB2 chromosome. His father explains that the diagnosis is more of an umbrella description of a myriad of disabilities; scoliosis, Hirsch-sprung’s disease, microcephaly, Sinoral Node dysfunction (a heart defect), malformed hips, and epilepsy are some of the challenges he faces.

But for someone in his situation, he’s doing rather well, said his mother.

“We are in uncharted territory. The oldest person with his syndrome is 29. It’s kind of scary. We’re starting uncharted territory. Compared with everyone else, his health is horrible, but compared to Josh, he’s doing great,” she said.

She says that Josh has a great sense of humor and loves to tease. He also loves to play his dad’s drums and guitars.

“He gives the best hugs ever,” she said. “All his emotions are genuine. When he holds you close and tight, just let it happen and all your worries will melt away. He is our daily reminder that God lives with him. Mom and Dad are just a stop in an adventurous time in Joshua’s life. We treasure every moment,” his parents stated.