Saying Goodbye
I want to tell you all about a friend of mine named Eric Myers. Eric and I were freshmen together at Harding University. Eric was in my social club when I was at Harding. When I got into our club Eric was the treasurer and shortly after I got into the club I was elected to be his assistant. Eric always went out of his way to make sure that I understood what I was doing and that I did a good job. Eric is probably one of the most patient people I ever knew.
Not too long after I got into our club I was elected to be a beau for one of the girl’s clubs on campus. For those of you not familiar with this ritual, the girls clubs at Harding select men that they feel reflect them well to become members of their clubs to help them when they need it. The night I was beaued Eric and our other friend Matt Clouse made me think they were fighting and they needed my help to settle it. Little did I know this was all a ploy so I would be surprised by the girls coming to beau me.
Eric and I cheered for our clubs at club sports, we participated in Spring Sing together and we served as officers and beaus together. Everyone loved Eric Myers. Eric excelled to become the Vice President of our club and he did one of the finest jobs anyone has ever done in that position. We used to watch Jeopardy together and more times than not he would beat me.
Eric died last night (February 24, 2008) in his sleep. According to friends he had been feeling ill most of last week and could not ever get warm. Eric went to sleep and never woke up and I never got to say goodbye. We have lost a good friend, brother, son and fiancé today. Eric was full of life and if you were around him very long you could not help but get caught up in his spirit.
While all of this may sound sad I write this with hope in my heart. The reason I have heart is because even though I did not get to say goodbye to Eric I will get to say hello to him again someday when we meet in heaven. All of the qualities I mentioned about Eric were overshadowed by his love for God. Eric was so many things but at the top of it all Eric was a child of God. I would like to think that Eric would not want us to be sad today. I believe he would want us to rejoice because he has claimed his reward in full in heaven.
I want to encourage you to always try to maintain strong ties with those who are close to you. There was a time when I didn’t go a day without seeing Eric Myers. It has been nearly three years since I last saw him and while I am so happy his now home I am sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye.
I want to leave everyone who reads this with a passage from Proverbs that reminds me of Eric.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
I hope that you have friends who fit this passage and I hope that you remember to stay in touch with them this side of heaven. Please remember to pray for Eric’s family and for his fiancé’ Kristen.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul Cartwright
I want to tell you all about a friend of mine named Eric Myers. Eric and I were freshmen together at Harding University. Eric was in my social club when I was at Harding. When I got into our club Eric was the treasurer and shortly after I got into the club I was elected to be his assistant. Eric always went out of his way to make sure that I understood what I was doing and that I did a good job. Eric is probably one of the most patient people I ever knew.
Not too long after I got into our club I was elected to be a beau for one of the girl’s clubs on campus. For those of you not familiar with this ritual, the girls clubs at Harding select men that they feel reflect them well to become members of their clubs to help them when they need it. The night I was beaued Eric and our other friend Matt Clouse made me think they were fighting and they needed my help to settle it. Little did I know this was all a ploy so I would be surprised by the girls coming to beau me.
Eric and I cheered for our clubs at club sports, we participated in Spring Sing together and we served as officers and beaus together. Everyone loved Eric Myers. Eric excelled to become the Vice President of our club and he did one of the finest jobs anyone has ever done in that position. We used to watch Jeopardy together and more times than not he would beat me.
Eric died last night (February 24, 2008) in his sleep. According to friends he had been feeling ill most of last week and could not ever get warm. Eric went to sleep and never woke up and I never got to say goodbye. We have lost a good friend, brother, son and fiancé today. Eric was full of life and if you were around him very long you could not help but get caught up in his spirit.
While all of this may sound sad I write this with hope in my heart. The reason I have heart is because even though I did not get to say goodbye to Eric I will get to say hello to him again someday when we meet in heaven. All of the qualities I mentioned about Eric were overshadowed by his love for God. Eric was so many things but at the top of it all Eric was a child of God. I would like to think that Eric would not want us to be sad today. I believe he would want us to rejoice because he has claimed his reward in full in heaven.
I want to encourage you to always try to maintain strong ties with those who are close to you. There was a time when I didn’t go a day without seeing Eric Myers. It has been nearly three years since I last saw him and while I am so happy his now home I am sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye.
I want to leave everyone who reads this with a passage from Proverbs that reminds me of Eric.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17
I hope that you have friends who fit this passage and I hope that you remember to stay in touch with them this side of heaven. Please remember to pray for Eric’s family and for his fiancé’ Kristen.
Be Strong and Courageous,
Paul Cartwright
