Because I was too Chicken to read it...

Eric R. Gardner my brother in law passed away from  a courageous  battle with Cancer last week, 

receiving the diagnosis in February only to pass away in May.  My sister emailed me and asked if 

there was anything  I would like to say in Celebration of Eric's  Life on which was to be held on 

Wednesday.  I thought to myself. “Oh my, I could never do that, I’m a pretty emotional person and not sure 

sure I would be able to actually speak in any coherent language."

 Anyway I had pretty much decided I would bow out but...

 I was outside in the sun on Monday , I always feel a special connection to God and my own loved

ones past when the sun is shining down on me , it always just feels so good and the sun shine

 always makes me feel like I’m smiling inside. 

 While  washing my car  I was thinking  when our own Dad had a heart attack so many years ago

 , (coincidentally right on the same golf course where this service is being held and my brother just told

me it was on the 16th Tee ) Eric was the first one to offer to come pick my children and I up and 

bring us to Keene to be with our grieving family it was a long trip and he kept me talking the whole way to 

keep everyone relaxed, smiling and even laughing at some of his famous stories.

 Eric was the one at our fathers funeral who brought  all our spirits up with his witty story and that big 

smile of his while  telling us about the last few hours of our Dads life in a  funny story about the

Golf game He, my dad and my brother shared.   While I was thinking about that I

thought how little I really knew about Eric, never really spending more than an

after noon holiday or a quick dinner with He and Missy. But I do know this, he made my

Sister happy and for that I am grateful and I thank him, He was a loved Father and 


Grampa and for that I am grateful and Thank him.  People always say bad things about

lawyers especially in the line of practice Eric worked in but I know very well how

compassionate Eric was just from being around him. And how loved he was by his family.

I have one thing I want to say to all who are left behind, Missy, all the children and the

Grand children.  I do so believe in God, I do so believe in the power of prayer.  I do

know you are going to feel sad, and your going to miss Eric, there is no doubt about

that But I also know that he is still here with us in spirit. You just have to believe and

watch for the signs.  One day you’ll feel so sad and you’ll look and

there will be a beautiful rainbow in the sky, one day you’ll feel all alone and the song of

a bird or the color of a bright flower will remind that your not,

one day you’ll be hurting inside and a song will come on the radio that will bring a smile

to your face  Watch for the signs and welcome them and feel good knowing he is

watching over you. And be like me , feel good when the sun shines down on you, warming

your shoulders like a warm hug.