The Birthday Party....

Immediately following the triathlon, H & S ran back over to the house to get the BBQ going while we attended the awards ceremony. When it was over we all went back to the house for a birthday bbq celebration. Everyone was tired, hungry and pumped on adrenaline. There was tri-tip, chicken, and ribs (his favorite), and a plethora of other delicious food laid out along with tart lemonade. Everyone was happy to have a plate and a seat and enjoy some good company. K & C had made some wonderful photo collages for everyone to enjoy, one from back in the young days, and one from our Easter coast trip in April. They also made a great birthday card for everyone to sign with his picture on the front. After every one's belly was full K got up and did a wonderful job talking about him, and passing out "Eric Awards" for everything from friendship, to just making him proud. They spent so much time and effort on this day, he would be so touched, choked up even, we all were. There was a time when people shared "Eric Stories" D shared the garbage can story, R & B told of some of their childhood adventures, his dad told of the time he caught their truck on fire, C told hunting stories, and it was a great time to laugh and reflect on all that he has brought to us. Birthday gifts were handed out, not birthday gifts for him, but inspired by him. They were gaily wrapped packages full of all kinds of things that made us laugh. Things that he loves, from duct tape, tools, mad magazine, compasses to spam, it made us laugh. It was a great time for the girls to see all the adults in their life celebrate their dad. These are the moments in our life that give us strength. That empower us to move forward. There is no denying that he is loved, that many are pulling for him. That is a wonderful embrace for my children to be held in. K asked H what her Daddy's birthday cake should say. She thought about it for about a second and then told her. When they opened the cake box that afternoon, it was there across the cake for all to see (in purple of course) a child's simple wish for her father "Daddy feel better and I love you in my heart". That pretty much says it all. Some of our new friends, who competed in the race with us, but have never met him, told me that they were amazed at the day, and what a wonderful person he must be to have inspired so many to this. He is. K & C gave me the award for "making him proud" , but on this day, for this day, I will gracefully bow and hand it over to K & C, they really deserve it. They made him proud, they made me proud, they made our children proud.