Erik

Dear Great Ones,

I got this email from Erik several years ago:  

Dad,

You are a good Dad.  I respect you very much.  I know we are very different, but I love you very much. I don't think I am better than you at all, and I never will.  I understand you and your life, and as I grow as a father, I'm realizing that I would like very much to be your friend.  It's taken me some time to process our life.  But I sincerely believe that we will be good friends.  I love you with all my heart. I am your son.

I will cling onto those words for the rest of my life.  I loved Erik too very much and I would not be going through this horrible grief over his passing if it was not so.  I am his dad.  Yes our wildly different personalities and beliefs and outlook on life caused plenty of strife, but there was also much effort on both our parts to try and understand each other.  As a result we had many, many good

moments.  Moments that no one can ever take away.  I am grateful and thankful for those. They are a big part of me.  

Thank you to everyone who is walking with me through this time.  I truly believe God has given you to support me.  Erik left behind a wife and two kids.  Pray for them too.

God bless you.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk