Dear Eric,
I wish you were here today. Well, I wish that everyday, but especially today. Things are on the move in our family and it would be so fun to share these experiences with you. You would be so pleased with your kids and would adore your grandkids!
Madilynn is going to be a Junior …. and she drives! Can you believe it?! She’s a beautiful girl and could learn so much from you if you were here. Shelley misses you; she could use a daddy right now. Alivia, well, you would hardly recognize her since she was only a baby when you left and now she’s almost nine years old!
Sam and Jack are getting taller and taller and I love them to pieces. Phil and Heather sold their house and will move into a beautiful new place in a few short days. I wish they were still next door but I know they are following God’s leading and I’m excited for them. Being obedient to God is their key focus.
Christopher and Kristyn have blessed us with three grandkids since you left! Remember the night we got the phone call that their first was on the way?! We had just returned from our cruise and weren’t expecting that news! I never dreamed you wouldn’t be here for Aubri’s birth and now she has two brothers who are as ornery as they come. They all three make me smile constantly and I really wish you could be here to tell them “Bille and Willie” stories, have sock wars and pray with them. Owen just finished his first T-Ball season and was wonderful. Aubri was adorable in her dance recital and Levi rules the roost! Christopher and Kristyn are diligent pastors, have a great marriage (you always said she could handle him well!) and love walking in the call of God. They have both grown spiritually in amazing ways.
Nathaniel works for Emily – another twist we didn’t see coming – and he is such a blessing. He and Meg bought a house in Chillicothe and he has shown your knack for being a handyman as they have made changes to it. Meg is a teacher and a wonderful wife. They have created a lovely, peaceful home and are a joy.
Christy is a nail tech! She has always loved that industry and now has a career there – big surprise, huh?! She misses you and has worked her way through many questions since your death. There is a lot of life ahead for her and I know the prayers you prayed over her are still being answered.
Alex is on a mission trip right now, Jordan has his pilots license, Caleb is going into his Junior year of college and is dating a really nice girl. Amanda, Joel and Nikki continue to amaze me as they grow and change. My siblings (and their spouses) are the most special people I know and mom and dad are doing great. We threw a big party for their 55th wedding anniversary and they had such fun!
Your brother and sisters have had their challenges since 2008 and I’m sure they would have liked having you around. They make me smile each time I talk with them.
There are so many people I wish we could chat about! I wish we could go down the list and catch up on all that you’ve missed. So much has happened, so much has changed in the last six years! Life has gone on. There was a time I didn’t think it really would, but it has. I miss you. Everyday. But life has gone on.
Today is Father’s Day and I want you to know what a joy it was raising kids with you. You were a good dad and I am grateful for that. I also want to thank you for praying so diligently over our kids; they are wonderful adults who are reaping the benefit of the love you gave and the prayers you prayed. The people you pastored are also still reaping the benefit of your prayers and leadership. You may not be here to celebrate Father’s Day with us but I want you to know how much I appreciate the way you lived your life and how you loved us all so deeply. I am a very blessed woman. Happy Father’s Day, Handsome.
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13
JEV 