Friday, November 7, 2008

Add your memories here...

I would like to encourage Jim's friends and family to recount times they have shared and memories they have of him.

Please use the comments link to add your posting.
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6 comments:

  1. Stephen SpellicyNovember 8, 2008 at 9:19 AM

    From my mom (Jeannette Spellicy):

    If I had never met him than I would not be so affected by this news. Like I said, I saw a truly genuine and polite individual the day we met Jim. He was caring and thoughtful to you when you had the surgery. Remember he brought coffee to you one morning, how many people are that thoughtful? It wasn't a big thing but showed he cared about you and what you were going thru.

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  2. Bill BlandNovember 9, 2008 at 9:15 AM

    Dear Lauren and Dana,

    I just got the news that your dad has terminal cancer and not much time left. While I am sad for Jim and for losing my friend, I know that your dad has lived life to its fullest every day and that he has a measure of spiritual peace that provides great comfort.

    What really breaks my heart is the void you will both feel without the world’s greatest dad. You are so young but fortunately just old enough to retain the wonderful memories you’ve shared with daddy. As we get older we learn more about our parents every day, first through the eyes of a teenager, then as a young adult, and then hopefully when we become parents ourselves. Understanding who our parents are helps us to understand who we are. When you are curious someday about who Jim Ehrlich was as a man maybe these few glimpses will give you a better idea, and I will write this to you as adults.

    I met your dad at a pool party when we were both 19 years old. Your dad cut quite a figure when I met him. He was handsome, athletic, articulate, gregarious, and had a quick intelligence. In the parlance of my time the girls would have called him a stud and the guys would have called him the all-American boy.

    While all those personal attributes were obvious about Jim Ehrlich what I remember vividly to this day was how your dad made an immediate connection with me on a very personal level. I saw him do it with everyone he interacted with over the years. He was above the self absorption typical of a 20 year old. He shook your hand firmly, looked you square in the eye when you were engaged in conversation, and really listened to you. Jim would hug you when you parted ways and give you a bigger bear hug when you reunited.

    Most of our annual reunions with your dad were in upstate New York during our all boys golf outings or the get-togethers with the families on Cape Cod. When we were on our golf trips at Colgate most of the discussions centered around the glory days of yore or our individual livelihoods. But your dad would always want to talk about both of you and your mom, about the glories and trials of parenting, about remodeling plans for a house, about the neighborhood and how child friendly it was, about the school district, about the ways he might be able to spend more time with y’all. From the dog days in Texas to the jubilant return to New England and New Hampshire his clear priority was always family.

    We are all in our 40’s now and we are all parents ourselves. It is tough to be as well rounded an individual as it was when we were younger. When I think of my peers and the qualities I wish to emulate Jim Ehrlich comes first to mind: for his character, spiritual awareness, humility, and most importantly knowledge of self. Sometimes the lives that shine the brightest are the lives that are with us the briefest. Your dad set a high standard for himself the day I met him 24 years ago and I have never been remotely disappointed since. When I think of him it will be with a smile on my face because I learned so much from the example he sets. I hope I can be half the father, husband, and person Jim Ehrlich has been.

    Love Bill Bland and Family

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  3. AnonymousNovember 9, 2008 at 5:57 PM

    Hi Jim,
    As you know the men at BCC returned from their annual retreat today.I want to tell you that you, Christine, Dana and Loren were covered in prayer at every main event and at break out sessions as well.Jim you're truly a roll model to all your brothers in Christ.
    When my son Alan introduced me to you
    I remember thinking that there was somethimg special about you.That special thing was God's presence in your life!
    Isaiah 26:3,4 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,because he trusts in you.
    Trust in the Lord forever,for the Lord,the Lord is the rock eternal."
    Love in Christ,
    Roland Gagnon

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  4. AnonymousNovember 9, 2008 at 9:46 PM

    Good Evening Elrich Family
    Jaime, Maggie, Emma and I have been praying for you all this weekend as well as remembering sweet memories of small group in the apartment as you were looking for your home, carving pumpkins on our back porch, and yes our favorite Sunday brunch for "family small group". We always had the best conversations as the underground small group. Jim your passion and desire to know the Lord more was contagious and convicting then most people I know today. You have a heart to serve and to chase after God and I desire yo have that same passion in my life. I feel honored to have seen you grow in your walk.
    The girls were saying "he was so funny and always smiled", " we always had fun with them at their house!" You were all there for me when Jaime was traveling and found the person to sell our home. You are a man after God's Heart and I am sure He will say "well done, good and faithful son.
    Love you all,
    Heather Smith

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  5. Dave MacKay - neighborNovember 10, 2008 at 9:51 PM

    The Selfless Snowblower

    Last winter Jim was very excited to get out and use his snowblower, I think that he was envious that Chris got to have "all the fun" when she did the snow blowing for the first few storms. The first time he was well enough to get out and do it himself, I could see the smile on his face beaming across the yard though the blowing snow. His playful wave reminded me of childhood days when your friends would come out to play on the first snow day of the school year.

    Jim knew we would be away for February school vacation and excitedly volunteered to clear the driveway for us if it snowed - it did, twice. Later in the winter my snow blower broke down as I was finishing up after one storm. As Jim and I were swapping stories over the snow banks he again volunteered to clear my driveway if it snowed again. Of course it snowed heavily within a matter of days. Not wanting Jim to have to do my driveway again, I woke up extra early and started shoveling. About 30 minutes into the job I looked up and there was Jim, at the end of my driveway snow-blowing his way in my direction. When he reached me, he jokingly chastised me for being dumb enough to attempt to shovel a driveway this long and besides, I was ruining his fun!

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  6. AnonymousDecember 11, 2008 at 2:28 PM

    To the Ehrlich Family:
    I was saddened to read about Jim's passing the Metro Daily News. Please accept my sincere condolences.

    Russ's, Bryan's, Steve's and Lloyd's entries were a delight to read and brought back many fond memories. I was an acquaintance of Jim's and a classmate of his brother John. So many of my summer memories involve Dug Pond and the swim team. The Ehrlichs, the Ruiters, the Shedds, the Pierces, the Crisafullis...they were star performers of the era. As a slow and lumbering swimmer, their collective talent impressed and inspired me.

    I remember Jim as gregarious and funny. He seemed to always be with Steve Ruiter, both easily identifiable by their white blond hair. My lasting impression of Jim, as well as Sue, Cathy, Steve, John and Karen, is one of admiration. It would be easy to be jealous of the Ehrlichs but it was never possible because they were all too kind, generous and genuine.

    My wish for the Ehrlich family is that you remember Jim every day and that each day the memory is one that makes you smile.

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