Erica's Memorial Service

There are a lot of things in life I have tried to either prepare for or protect myself from.  It is safe to say, I was not prepared for this, and I had no protection.

Erica worked for the Norman 911 Communications as a dispatcher.  Because of this, the Norman Police Department provided escort assistance to the church.  The Honor Guard was present and assisted the family and the service.

 http://normantranscript.com/obituaries/x2002720848/Erica-Lynn-Dover-Carpenter

The service was held on Saturday March 12th, 2011 at 10:00AM at the First Baptist Church in Noble, OK.  The church was packed.  Officiating was my brother Stephen Dover and Rev. Mike Roberts read the obituary.  My cousin Kristal Standridge shared memories of Erica and reflected on Erica as a mother.  Kristal also read a wonderful book titled, Wherever You Are my love will find you, by: Nancy Tillman.  I spoke about the qualities in Erica that I admired and read a poem.  My brother did a wonderful and loving job in his message about Erica.  Through the service three songs were played:

• One Day at a Time
• The Breath You Take
• Sissy's Song

This has to be the hardest thing I've gone through in my life so far.  There is so many things I wish I could have told my sister, if only I had known.  So don't wait, tell your loved ones how you feel, now.  We never know if we'll get tomorrow.   I regret not being more supportive, or telling her more often that I loved her.

If you want to read on I've included the poem I read.

If Tears Could Build A Stairway

If tears could build a stairway
and thoughts a memory lane
I'd walk right up to heaven
and bring you home again
No farewell words were spoken
No time to say good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why.

My heart's still active in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.
But now I know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten
I pledge to you today
A hallowed place within my heart
Is where you'll always stay.

God knows why, with chilling touch,
Death gathers those we love so much,
And what now seems so strange and dim,
Will all be clear, when we meet Him.