EB

Sam and I wanted to take a chance to blog about Erin, or EB as she is better known. This blog is very long but it still is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the memories we have of EB. One year has passed, and now we reflect back. Below you will find reflections from sammy, and myself. enjoy


Reflections from Sammy
Wednesday is a historic day for everyone who knew the famous EB. It is the anniversary of her going to be with our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I so look forward to seeing her again when I get to heaven to throw my arms around her like we always did and just hang on for a while. Hugs with Erin weren’t always quick short arm around you kind. They were warm. They lingered for a few moments. Mine and hers usually ended with a kiss on the cheek. Not sure why, but we always did kiss each other and said “I love you!”

The origin of the name EB actually begins right here in the heady home. Before Allie was born she gave me a stuffed dog that was so soft for allie to sleep with. After trying to come up with a name, I decided on EB. Erin kinda liked that, so after Allie was old enough to talk, and couldn’t talk well..We started calling Erin “EB” for allie’s sake, because she could say it…kinda like moo moo was for emma and nancy. It wasn’t long before everyone was calling her that, kinda like moo moo. I think Erin kind of liked it. So when Abby was born she brought the exact same dog in a different color for Abby. We sat on my couch for what would be the last time with my precious newborn in Erin’s lap, allie hanging onto her neck and I cuddled beside her. We came up with calling this dog Bradley, but erin said it had to be girl though…it was pink. She didn’t want it growing up with issues. So we decided that was it. That next week Erin took a turn for the worst. I am so grateful for all my wonderful memories and can’t wait to see her again!!!

I wrote this silly poem because it has been so hot in Sparta lately…87 one day this week. I looked back at last year. It never got warm til May. I know it was God feeling our sadness for how much pain Erin was in those last couple weeks. It kinda sounds korney, but I am a korney person (my husband says anyway). It gave me peace about it anyway, knowing God feels our every sorrow and tear. We serve a God who loves us, more than we love each other. I try to teach my kids that. Have you ever read that poem about the ship who is sailing out of sight, but as it sails out of our sight and gets smaller and smaller…It is getting closer and bigger to some other place. That was Erin those last few days. You could feel her slipping through our fingers as we tried to hold on. But to be honest, it was so peaceful too. I could feel she was getting further from us, but getting so much closer to something so much bigger and better. I am so glad she made it to her port forever!!!

"Erin’s Sweet Spring"

On Gillen Drive a long harsh winter
Had settled in.

Although April was here,
Would we see the sun again?

We lay beside her, rubbing her back,
Kissing her head.

We called upon Jesus, and He told us,
“What have you to dread?”

She talked and slept,
We listened to every breath.

We pleaded and begged to the only
Man to overcome death.

Things were slowing,
We knew that soon was the day.

We struggled through the silence and heard,
“Just trust and obey.”

So on that last day of April,
God showed us the way.

The Angels were rejoicing
For Spring had sprung that day.





Reflections from Rhino
What can you not love about EB? She had a spunk, and a zeal for life that was inspirational to all. Her unwillingness to be forced into any mold is what made her so unique. Many times in life we have "last" moments that you don't realize they are the last until way later on in life and you reflect back. Other times God allows you to know your going to have a "last moment" that will imprint in your brain forever before the moment happens. That exact thing happened once with me and Erin. During the rash of burglaries at FBC there were many late night hunts and stake outs looking for criminals. One particular night, we all met at Timbo's house and made our plans to scope out the church because we had intel that said something might be going down. We made our plans and split up to pairs in different cars. Eb and I were paired together, and were going to be driving Brian Jones Mercedes. I knew that night before we ever left tims basement that i needed to turn on my memory banks and enjoy the night, because i was pretty sure it might be a last. Erin and I drove around town in that coupe all night laughing and giggling while keeping up with the other goons and the cell phone. We didnt catch a criminal that night, but what a night it was. As it were, that was the last time i ever got to do undercover work with Erin one on one. What a blessing when God lets you know that before hand. Shouldn't we really take that mind set into every situation? just a thought...

I've lost count of how many videos i've made in my computing career. I've done wedding video's, countless number of sermons, or VBS videos. I've made videos for work, for fun, for most any occasion. I've done videos for other funerals, even some that are really close to home. This said, none has ever touched me like the EB video. I made this video for Erin's funeral. I poured several hours into this video, many of which the screen was blurrier than normal as I wiped the tears away. The song says pretty much everything i felt about EB. And the song has never been the same to me since. There is a simplicity to this video that is hard to achieve, and even harder to repeat. I can honestly say no other video has meant more to me than this one. I have come across it a couple times since the funeral. Each time it brings tears to my eyes. I share it with you now,