Eric, my cousin, died while swimming in a lake. What a fun, harmless,all American thing to do on a hot summer day, right? But because of this fun, harmless, all American thing he is no longer with us and the family must learn how to go on with a piece of our heart missing...life will never be the same again for so many in our family. I guess you don't realize how much a part of your life someone is til they're not there. Sad but true that you don't know what you've got til it's gone... You know to take the time to appreciate the people who are older or more frail, but Eric was 19, healthy and young and larger than life (at 6'5" he was definitely larger than life!) He was a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a best friend, a cousin...so much wrapped up in one person...How does everyone go on?? I guess the answer is with a hole in their heart that is Eric sized...
I guess if there's a lesson we can learn here it is that we have to live life to the fullest and that you should love God with all your heart. Always be ready to "meet your Maker" as the saying goes. I read on Eric's myspace this morning that he didn't regret the things he'd done, but what he hadn't done. How much more meaningful that is now.
I know that I am so far removed from the whole situation that to me it's almost not real, but to so many he was such a part of their every day life and will be missed every minute of every hour of every day. I pray for God's peace (the peace that passeth all understanding) to fill the hearts of those who can't imagine life without him. And may Eric rest in the arms of God...I'm ending now with a picture taken in September of 2005 right before his brother's wedding. Eric is the big tall guy next to Jared!! and in the second picture he is sitting down watching Lindsay play golf...
1 comment:
tears are in my eyes......
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