I am sure many good men and women died that day around the world but I want to talk about one I knew for almost thirty years - Al Erickson. I heard about Al and his wife Marlys when my son began dating one of their three daughters although I didn't meet them in person for awhile. Al was still working in Security for Boeing in the Seattle area then, a job he had moved his family to after moving around in the service. Soon I knew any fears I might have that my son would encounter a rigid father who thought no man was good enough for his daughter were allayed. Al's big heart had reached out to bring Brent into his family by feeding him plenty of meat and potatoes.
When Brent and Sheila moved into together while she was still a student at UW, Al wasn't fazed but helped them with their bills. When Brent and Sheila went to France for a year as part of Sheila's education/career development, Al and Marlys went to visit. When Brent and Sheila got married after 10 years of being together, Al gave a sweet toast at the reception held at Al and Marlys's backyard to the effect that Brent was already part of the family and had been for quite awhile.
Al was a good man who loved his wife, wanted only happiness for his daughters, supported his church, and lived every day of his life with integrity and grace, and he knew how to smile, which he did often. He is missed.
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