See you in 18!
12 years ago
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Notes related to his poems
In conjunction with the two poems just posted here, there were some other notes which Eric made:
When I left my heavenly home, I know that before I left, my Heavenly Father told me to call him. He said if I forgot he’d send reminders to help me recall the reward waiting for me if I would follow my heart and the Spirit. He showed me how to use the phone — even where the volume control is. When we’ve lost hope and our hearts are hardened, God can soften our hearts and help us to understand how to forgive.
When I left my heavenly home, I know that before I left, my Heavenly Father told me to call him. He said if I forgot he’d send reminders to help me recall the reward waiting for me if I would follow my heart and the Spirit. He showed me how to use the phone — even where the volume control is. When we’ve lost hope and our hearts are hardened, God can soften our hearts and help us to understand how to forgive.
Another of Eric's Poems
When we left the preexistence; our Heavenly Father’s home,
I have no doubt he told us we’d never be alone.
He told us it would be quite hard, tempting, and seem unfair
But he promised to me and each of us there’d be nothing we couldn’t bear.
I’m sure he stressed with every word to call him every day,
To keep our hearts, minds and spirits in a spotless way.
I wonder if others left for seconds and returned to him again
They went through trials and sorrow, and returned free of sin
I’m so thankful he gave to each of us a Comforter; the Hold Ghost
To help us pass this mortal dwelling and reside with the Heavenly Hosts.
I have no doubt he told us we’d never be alone.
He told us it would be quite hard, tempting, and seem unfair
But he promised to me and each of us there’d be nothing we couldn’t bear.
I’m sure he stressed with every word to call him every day,
To keep our hearts, minds and spirits in a spotless way.
I wonder if others left for seconds and returned to him again
They went through trials and sorrow, and returned free of sin
I’m so thankful he gave to each of us a Comforter; the Hold Ghost
To help us pass this mortal dwelling and reside with the Heavenly Hosts.
Eric Wrote Poetry
Shortly after Eric’s passing, a few samples of Eric’s poetry were discovered. Here is one of them:
I wish I’d taken a pen or two,
And wrote the things my father knew,
From my childhood and all through life
It could save mankind a lot of strife.
He learned why we came to the world we know;
To raise a family and always grow.
He taught his children proper and good
The way Heavenly Father said he should.
He taught us to look at the blessings he had—
No matter the circumstances, good or bad,
From looking at clouds on a breezy day
To the way that our legs help us run and play.
I always remember the way he would smile
When he’d walk with his grandchildren for over a mile.
He had a bigger heart than he’d like to admit,
But stunk up the bathroom when he started to shave.
[At the funeral, Dwayne said (about that last line) that Eric must have run out of rhymes.]
I wish I’d taken a pen or two,
And wrote the things my father knew,
From my childhood and all through life
It could save mankind a lot of strife.
He learned why we came to the world we know;
To raise a family and always grow.
He taught his children proper and good
The way Heavenly Father said he should.
He taught us to look at the blessings he had—
No matter the circumstances, good or bad,
From looking at clouds on a breezy day
To the way that our legs help us run and play.
I always remember the way he would smile
When he’d walk with his grandchildren for over a mile.
He had a bigger heart than he’d like to admit,
But stunk up the bathroom when he started to shave.
[At the funeral, Dwayne said (about that last line) that Eric must have run out of rhymes.]
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
One More Cow Joke
[By Sandra]
OK - I don't know if he actually made this one up. If he didn't, then we'll call it a tribute that I am making by making one up in his honor.
Where do cows like to go on vacation?
"Cow-ifornia!" Har Har
OK - I don't know if he actually made this one up. If he didn't, then we'll call it a tribute that I am making by making one up in his honor.
Where do cows like to go on vacation?
"Cow-ifornia!" Har Har
Cow Jokes
[By Sandra]
When Eric worked at the Baarda dairy, he went through a phase where he made up cow jokes! My favorite was: What do you call it when 2 cows say "moo" at the same time?" Answer: A "cow-incidence!" UGHH But better than almost all Laffy Taffy jokes!
When Eric worked at the Baarda dairy, he went through a phase where he made up cow jokes! My favorite was: What do you call it when 2 cows say "moo" at the same time?" Answer: A "cow-incidence!" UGHH But better than almost all Laffy Taffy jokes!
Birthdays
[By Sandra]
Eric was born only 1 year and 18 days after me. But that one year was enough to use as ammunition for many years! Every year on his birthday I would tease him by saying something like, "Oh, you're 8 now? Well, 8 is pretty cool, but you'll REALLY be cool when you turn 9 like me!" This went on well into our teen-age years. Of course, you can guess that Eric eventually got even. I remember turning 30 and having him call me to say, "Oh, you're 30? Wow! Well, you WERE cool when you were still 29!" Suddenly being the "older" sibling wasn't as fun! :-)
Eric was born only 1 year and 18 days after me. But that one year was enough to use as ammunition for many years! Every year on his birthday I would tease him by saying something like, "Oh, you're 8 now? Well, 8 is pretty cool, but you'll REALLY be cool when you turn 9 like me!" This went on well into our teen-age years. Of course, you can guess that Eric eventually got even. I remember turning 30 and having him call me to say, "Oh, you're 30? Wow! Well, you WERE cool when you were still 29!" Suddenly being the "older" sibling wasn't as fun! :-)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Obituary
The following was published today in the Idaho Press-Tribune:
Eric Loraine Millward, 44, of Middleton, Idaho, passed away Monday, September 15, 2008 at his home of natural causes. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, September 20, at the Middleton LDS Chapel, 309 West Main Street, in Middleton. A viewing will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Friday, September 19, at the Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 North Midland Blvd., Nampa, and from 12:00 to 12:45 at the church prior to the funeral service.
Eric was born on December 20, 1963 – just in time to celebrate his first of 44 Christmases. He was the third child and first son born to George Loraine and Leora Tomlinson Millward, and was a very welcomed addition to their growing family. He lived the first 13 years of his life in Boise, where he attended Franklin Elementary and Mountain View Elementary and Hillside Jr. High School. He moved to Nampa the summer after his 7th grade year and attended Vallivue Jr. High School. He graduated from Vallivue High School in 1982.
Eric was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, he earned his Eagle Scout award, and carried his love of the outdoors with him throughout his life.
He was a hard worker and worked during his high school years at a dairy farm. After high school graduation, he was employed as a maintenance worker and fabricator at Swiss Village Cheese Factory for several years. While there where he applied and honed his talents as a mechanic and welder. He later worked for CMI, installing equipment at Power Bar in Boise.
In 1988 he married Misty Medley. They moved to Middleton and were blessed with two sons, Trent, 19 and Tyler 14. They were later divorced.
Eric enjoyed spending time with his whole family camping, four-wheeling, snow-mobiling, etc. He loved his sons and was very proud of them. He was a quiet, private person, but he always kept his family and friends laughing with his quick wit, his unique personality, and his terrific sense of humor. Many people were recipients of his service.
Eric left this earthly life on Monday, but he lives and we know we will be with him again some day.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Lorraine Millward, his grandparents, and his nephew, Chad Tidwell. He is survived by his sons, Trent Eric and Tyler James Millward, his mother, Leora Tomlinson Millward, his sisters, Roma (David) Tidwell, Sandra (Jerome) Broekhuijsen, and Paula Reyes, and his brothers, Dwayne (Melissa), Jay Dee and Vance Milllward, many aunts, uncles, and cousins, 8 nephews and 8 nieces.
Arrangements are being provided by the Zeyer Funeral Chapel. 467-7300.
Eric Loraine Millward, 44, of Middleton, Idaho, passed away Monday, September 15, 2008 at his home of natural causes. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, September 20, at the Middleton LDS Chapel, 309 West Main Street, in Middleton. A viewing will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Friday, September 19, at the Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 North Midland Blvd., Nampa, and from 12:00 to 12:45 at the church prior to the funeral service.
Eric was born on December 20, 1963 – just in time to celebrate his first of 44 Christmases. He was the third child and first son born to George Loraine and Leora Tomlinson Millward, and was a very welcomed addition to their growing family. He lived the first 13 years of his life in Boise, where he attended Franklin Elementary and Mountain View Elementary and Hillside Jr. High School. He moved to Nampa the summer after his 7th grade year and attended Vallivue Jr. High School. He graduated from Vallivue High School in 1982.
Eric was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man, he earned his Eagle Scout award, and carried his love of the outdoors with him throughout his life.
He was a hard worker and worked during his high school years at a dairy farm. After high school graduation, he was employed as a maintenance worker and fabricator at Swiss Village Cheese Factory for several years. While there where he applied and honed his talents as a mechanic and welder. He later worked for CMI, installing equipment at Power Bar in Boise.
In 1988 he married Misty Medley. They moved to Middleton and were blessed with two sons, Trent, 19 and Tyler 14. They were later divorced.
Eric enjoyed spending time with his whole family camping, four-wheeling, snow-mobiling, etc. He loved his sons and was very proud of them. He was a quiet, private person, but he always kept his family and friends laughing with his quick wit, his unique personality, and his terrific sense of humor. Many people were recipients of his service.
Eric left this earthly life on Monday, but he lives and we know we will be with him again some day.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Lorraine Millward, his grandparents, and his nephew, Chad Tidwell. He is survived by his sons, Trent Eric and Tyler James Millward, his mother, Leora Tomlinson Millward, his sisters, Roma (David) Tidwell, Sandra (Jerome) Broekhuijsen, and Paula Reyes, and his brothers, Dwayne (Melissa), Jay Dee and Vance Milllward, many aunts, uncles, and cousins, 8 nephews and 8 nieces.
Arrangements are being provided by the Zeyer Funeral Chapel. 467-7300.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Jerome's First Impression of Eric
It was the Fall of 1986. I was dating Sandra at the time and had accepted the invitation to come to Nampa and “meet the parents”. There was a lot that was new and wonderful for me, but one of my strongest memories from that experience was when I first got to meet Eric.
He had come home from work late in the evening, so we didn’t really talk much that night. However, the next morning I was reminded that sometimes actions speak louder than words. Jay Dee and Vance, young pups at the time, were (apparently) pretty heavy sleepers. That night, Eric had taken a black permanent marker and drawn exquisite mustaches on both of their faces. They didn’t even realize it until the next morning.
I was stunned -- I had never imagined anyone using a permanent marker (intentionally) on skin, and I had never imagined the audacity of putting such a long-lasting “enhancement” on someone’s face. That next morning, we laughed and laughed; it was one of the funniest things I had ever seen. I don’t know if Jay Dee and Vance were quite as amused as the rest of us were, but it was all in good fun (and they made a good recovery).
So this was my first impression of Eric. He was bold, adventurous, and had a great sense of humor. I was impressed!
He had come home from work late in the evening, so we didn’t really talk much that night. However, the next morning I was reminded that sometimes actions speak louder than words. Jay Dee and Vance, young pups at the time, were (apparently) pretty heavy sleepers. That night, Eric had taken a black permanent marker and drawn exquisite mustaches on both of their faces. They didn’t even realize it until the next morning.
I was stunned -- I had never imagined anyone using a permanent marker (intentionally) on skin, and I had never imagined the audacity of putting such a long-lasting “enhancement” on someone’s face. That next morning, we laughed and laughed; it was one of the funniest things I had ever seen. I don’t know if Jay Dee and Vance were quite as amused as the rest of us were, but it was all in good fun (and they made a good recovery).
So this was my first impression of Eric. He was bold, adventurous, and had a great sense of humor. I was impressed!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Anyone have a good photo of Eric?
I’d like to put a portrait of Eric on this blog. If you’ve got one, please e-mail it to EricMemories@YoSemiTek.com.
Purpose and Instructions
The idea for creating this blog came out of realizing that it is impossible to make a perfect obituary. For one thing, it is hard to distill the significant parts of a person's life in just a few short paragraphs. Secondly, painting a portrait of Eric is best done when we can get the perspectives of multiple members of the family and set of friends. Thirdly, valuable memories will come out over a period of weeks, months, and even years. So, I thought a blog would be a good way for family and friends to share thoughts, feelings, and memories.
We will post entries whenever there is a new thought or memory to share. You are welcome (and encouraged) to add comments to the entries you see. If there is something new that you would like added, please put it in an e-mail to EricMemories@YoSemiTek.com, so we can add the entry to this blog. Words and pictures will be great. If we can find good ways to post other (richer) media, we'll do that, too.
For now, we hope you'll enjoy and share.
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