The day has awakened calm and beautiful. It’s a slightly crisp September morning with the sun glistening off the dewy grass, a few birds chirping and trees that are in the midst of changing for the autumn season. It is a perfect day for a celebration; a 60th birthday celebration.
There won’t be a typical celebration today – whatever that is in this family! A birthday is a time to show gladness that someone you know is a part of your life. It’s a time to say how grateful you are for their love and friendship and to reminisce about their life. I can still do that. Granted, it would be a lot more fun if Eric were here because there would be funny cards, lots of laughter, pumpkin pie and time together. There would be hugs and kisses and teasing glances and probably a special meal with presents to top it off. Maybe if it got warm enough, there would even be a motorcycle ride!
However, there will still be the thankfulness for Eric’s life. I will tell God how grateful I am to have had 28 years with that man and for all the things he taught me that still influence me today. My life is so much richer because of his love for me. We truly were a ‘match made in heaven’!
Today the scripture in my devotional was from Revelation – which made me smile because Eric loved to study end-time prophecy. When I read it, I cried while I smiled:
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
Someday there will be no more death. Someday there will be no more war, nor injustice or hatred. There will be no more birth defects or drug addictions or disease. Someday, God will make all things new (Rev. 21:5) and He says, “Come!”, if you thirst for that, “Come!” (Revelation 22:17) We need to make sure everyone knows they are invited to have Christ as their Savior, that He loves us all and is ready to wipe away every tear from our eyes. His grace is amazing! I guess that was Eric’s message in a nutshell: God’s grace is amazing and all are welcome to live in it.
So, Happy Birthday, Handsome. I wish you could hear those grandbabies you have never met sing happy birthday to you and see how the others have grown! I wish I could kiss your face! I wish I could hear you laugh! You are loved. You are missed. And the best thing is, in eternity 60 means you are still really young! Love you.
Love. Love. Love. My heart aches & smiles all at the same time. I miss him. Desperately.
Beautiful…he was an amazing man and you two an amazing couple. I still smile when I remember how HE brought you together and Eric taking each of his close friends aside to tell us. What an awesome surprise. I cherish you as I cherished him and can’t wait for “that great day”! Be blessed, my friend and receive the warm hug I send. Love ya, Marlene
Marlene, I smile when I think of those days! Hard to believe Bill and Eric are both enjoying the fruit of their labors already. Thank you for the love and hugs.
So awesome, God gave you just what you needed today! Sure would’ve been fun to pull something off as a staff for him today……miss all those sneaky plans for you & him! You are LOVED!
On Pastor Eric’s birthday, I’m thankful for the time & prayer he invested in so many lives… He truly loved & cared for people, and that legacy continues on in his family. Thankful for all the VanB’s.
Thank you, Denise. He loved you!
God wiped away every tear ever sorrow all the sickness Pastor Eric!!! I luv u Miss Jeanntte!!!!!!!
I always remember going into his office and getting from his candy bowl on Sunday mornings.He loved u very much:)
And he loved you, too!
You are a treasure, you know that?!