Eric--we will miss you

I really don't know where to begin. Last Monday, I got a phone call from Richard telling me Eric had been shot and it looked very very serious. Later Debbie called saying she didn't know if he was going to make it or not......WHAT.....I really couldn't believe it. Eric and Kali had gone home for lunch when they heard noises upstairs. Apparently, Eric went to see who was there only to find them holding a gun. He was shot in the head. I felt like wickedness had seeped into my family. It reminded me of the Gadianton robbers in the Book of Mormon. I was troubled because the boys who had shot Eric had fled and no one knew who or where they were. I couldn't understand why anyone would shoot another person the their own house in the middle of the day. What was our world coming to?

I was so shaken up. I wanted to be with the family.....I needed to be with the family I felt sick inside all day. It wasn't until I hugged Debbie that my anxiety was lifted, I immediately felt peace. Here I came to console her only to have her consoling me and everyone else. She was truly amazing. I can't write the love I have for her because there really aren't words to describe an emotion so strong. The doctors had tried to take him off life support to test his brian activity but....Eric wasn't able to breathe on his own. Debbie said she knew as soon as she got the phone call that Eric wasn't going to make it. She told the doctors that they were interested in Eric being an organ donor. The doctors were excited to have a young 17 year old boy with no addictions or no diseases. If Eric wasn't going to make it than it least he could help others live. The next day was spent testing Eric and preparing him for the organ transplants. I could feel Eric slipping from us as we waited for the rest of the family to gather. We didn't have the entire family but we did have Richard & Debbie, Sean, Nikki & Liam, Philip, Niki, Levi, Avery, Kali, Mom & Dad, Richard, Chris, Hugh & Cindy, Jessica, Trevor, Taylor, Preston, Dillon, Becca, Nancy & Jack, Bevan & Heather, Bishop Sturgell. Sean wanted to sing a song to Eric before he was taken off life support. It was an amazing experience.

We prayed and sang multiple songs. It sounded like the most beautiful choir I have ever heard. It reminded me of the Dallas Temple dedication where angels were singing with us. It was a beautiful moment I will always cherish. We left knowing Eric would be taken off life support but we all felt the Peace only the Savior can offer.

The rest of the week is a blur. Because there was an investigation taking place, Forresters were not allowed to go back home. We all gathered at Mom and Dad's. I think 15 people were sleeping there but up to 35 people were eating there. We all just wanted to be together. It was a wonderful reunion in spite of the tragic reason for the gathering. The outpouring of love and support was incredible. Debbie and Richard were amazing. Through it all I could feel Heavenly Fathers love.

One of the many tender mercies happened at Greenwood funeral home. We were helping Richard and Debbie pick a plot for Eric's burial. There was much discussion about flat area, shaded area, easily accessible area, etc etc when Mom noticed Diane Oster's monument....then she noticed David Ivory's monument. We all laughed about it being "mormon corner" but I felt such a warmth standing there that I jokingly said I was having gravesite envy. At first, I was kidding but I began to cry. I knew Heavenly Father was helping with that decision that day.

I can't believe we spent a whole week in Texas because the time just flew by. I can now see why we were put into families. We just needed to be together to heal our broken hearts. We talked about how Eric lived and how he touched our lives. We read what old and new friends said about him. We were a family. I am so grateful for my family in which I was born into. We have faced many challenges, especially in the past 10 years but...when we turn to Heavenly Father it always seems easier. I am also grateful for the family I marred into. What pillars of strength they are. Hugh has been the family spokesman for the entire week. He has really captured Debbie and Richard's belief....I realize there are those who talk about believing and knowing and there are those who believe and know. Debbie and Richard believe and know where Eric is and what he is doing. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation. I can't imagine how hard this would be with out that. I only pray in some small way my entire family will be touched and come back to church. I want all to feel the peace that Deb & Richard feel.

 Surprise visitors.  

First I went to Becca's regatta only to discover that Joe Biden the VP of the US was there watching his granddaughter row.  Becca's crew came in 2nd and his grand daughter either came in 3rd or 4th.  Either way....Becca kicked her butt.  VP Biden looked like any other grandpa.  He was dressed in shorts and a polo shirt enjoying the beautiful Virginia spring weather.  The day was perfect around 75-80 degrees with not a cloud in the sky.  I was so proud of Becca and her boat of novice girls.  They were so pleased to get a red ribbon on their first race.  I was so glad that I left the Stake Relief Society Conference to watch her.  

Second, we had an surprise visitor for our Sacrament Meeting-- President Eyring.  He spoke the night before at the BYU Management Society Meeting but Hugh and I had not been able to go. It was a complete surprise to our Bishopric who said President Eyring and his wife wanted to go to a meeting close to the airport so they could quickly catch their plane back home.  Dillon was fortunately or misfortunately the youth speaker today.  He gave an excellent summary of President Uchtorf's Priesthood Session talk.  I was so surprised at the confidence Dillon showed in the presence of the 1st Counselor of the  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I love what Elder Eyring said.  He bore testimony of Jesus Christ and the fact that He lives and loves each one of us.  When he spoke, his message rang TRUE.  He repeatedly said that Christ knows each one of us and is concerned with all that we suffer and endure.  He knows what we suffer because he too has suffered and knows exactly how we feel.  He knows the sparrows so why wouldn't he know us??  President Eyring reassured me that I too have a testimony of Jesus Christ because when I am overwhelmed or discouraged my immediate thoughts are to pray for guidance and reassurance.  What a privilege it was to hear President Eyring bear testimony of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hot Tub Party

It was fun getting together with the girls-Sandi, Joni, Margo, Jill, Christy, and me.  We laughed and talked all night.