When I was writing my silly post earlier today (because humor is much needed on difficult days), I just had a feeling something wasn't "right" back home with my friend Dwight. Several days had passed with no updates from his wife, and in this case no news was NOT good news.
He passed away very peacefully this morning, in his own home with his family around him, exactly where I know he would want to be - it was the family home and he grew up there with his sister and his two brothers, and he and his wonderful wife Carla raised their five beautiful children there. The oldest is 19, and the youngest (and the only boy) is just 5. He had been fighting this battle for only two months. I believe he was 50 or 51, as we were in the same class in school.
All of us who knew him are heartbroken, especially for his family. Yet it's comforting to know they are a family of great faith and I hope this will carry them through this.
Still, there are real-life considerations. The Dwight Errickson Trust needs donations now more than ever, to help Dwight's family through this very difficult time - 5 kids, a dental practice that is no more, you can well imagine the challenges. Every single penny will go to Dwight's family. Please consider making a donation, even a small one, if you haven't already done so (and if you've already donated, thank you SO MUCH).
You can donate by sending a check to Dwight Errickson Trust, 315 W. Washington Ave, #6, Washington, NJ 07882. Or you can donate via credit card at PayPal by going to www.PayPal.com and clicking the Send Money links and sending your donation to email address [email protected] (that address is directly connected to the PayPal account for the Trust; if you have any questions about the trust before donating, feel free to email them to that same address). There are also some other fundraising efforts taking place, including a silent online auction. I'm trying to help out with that project since it's something I can do long-distance, so I'll keep everyone here posted on that in case you'd like to check out the auction and bid on any of the items -- I will be donating one of my 3-month coaching packages to this very worthy cause, so you could bid on that and win 3 months of coaching with me to focus on your choice of a life project or a writing project!
Dwight and Carla at our wedding four years ago.
I have no words that seem adequate to describe what kind of a person Dwight was. Even my past attempts just don't seem enough, and for a writer it's always frustrating when you can't find the words. But maybe it's enough to say that Dwight was my idea of a truly GREAT man. He was funny, non-assuming, quiet, spiritual, gentle (and that gentleness extended to his dental patients), and probably one of the most decent human beings I have ever known. We weren't close as in "best friends" close, but he was someone I always enjoyed being around and someone I trusted. And I was so honored he and Carla joined Georges and I for our wedding four years ago.
If a person's life can be measured in how much he was loved and respected, then Dwight's life was a life very well lived. I miss him already. God Bless you Dwight, and your lovely family.
