Saying Goodbye

On Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 2 am, the world lost an awesome father, husband, son and friend.  Erik, was our friend from college.  My husband and I were roommates for awhile with Erik and I used to work with Erik at a local coffee house.  Erik was creative, funny, talented and loved the outdoors.  I remember him taking me and my husband canoeing in this little lake in the UP once.  He was showing my husband how to fly fish and I just sat in the middle and soaked it all in.  Before we knew it, it got very dark and we couldn't find our way to where we parked the car.  Just one of the many fun times with our friend Erik.  I will always remember his cooking.  He could cook like nobody's business.  My favorites, chocolate espresso cheesecake and black bean pizza on sourdough crust.  But my favorite was when he made a sandwich named after me at the coffee shop we worked at, "Shelley's Vegetarian Grill", I can taste it now. 

I think there must be something good that comes out of all of this tragedy. A message.  Because why does this have to happen?  Why does his little girl have to grow up without her father?  Why does his wife, Kerrie, have to endure the pain of living without her true love?  Why, Why, Why?  Then, I come up with this.  I hear this song while I am driving to pick up the kids from school and the lyrics hit me.  Does the loss of Erik cause us to re-evaluate life and how things can change in a blink?  That we need to embrace what everyday brings, because we may not be here the next.  The loss of Erik brings these thoughts to mind.  I need to hug a little longer, listen a little better, hold my babies a little longer, love with all my being, hold my husband's hand whenever possible and linger in his eyes, because God doesn't promise us tomorrow.

Please pray for this family and for God's loving arms to hold them tight.

Father and daughter.

"For now I would by lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest." Job3:13

God Bless,