Eulogy ~Kristin Lorraine
Erickson
Read by Kristin's best friend Nicky McCulloch
Our special redhead, Kristin Lorraine, was born on Feb 24th, 1972, to her very proud parents Jerry & Evelyn Templeton. She was as cute as a button and perfect in every way! She was affectionately referred to as a 'Little Lamb' as she had the cutest little baaa when she laughed! She captured strangers' hearts with the twinkle in her eye and ALWAYS a smile on her face. A year and a half later, in 1973, she had to share her stage when she became the proud big sister to Kori & Keri. She was thrilled to have two little babies to love!
In her early years she loved camping and fishing, especially at the river! Kristin always looked forward to the next fishing trip with family & friends; whether it was Saturday at the river or a week or two at a lake somewhere in BC. Some of her proudest moments were showing all the boys (and men) in the group that she had once again caught the biggest fish!!! When she wasn't fishing, she had a book in her hand and you could find her in a quiet spot trying desperately to read without her pesky sisters interrupting her! School came easily to Kristin and she actually ENJOYED studying! In high school she travelled to Japan on an exchange program and she dreamed of going back again one day. Kristin had no interest in sports, so she surprised us all when she announced that she was the new manager of the Abby Senior boys' basketball team!!!!!
Kristin had a great big
personality and we were less surprised when she got involved in drama both at
church and school. After her graduation in 1990, from Abby Senior, she followed
her dream of becoming a teacher and enrolled in the University of the Fraser
Valley ... and thus began her CAREER as a student! When people asked 'what are
you studying?' her sisters were quick to reply for her... BOYS!!!
Little did she know that God had that special someone waiting for her and she no longer needed to study boys at the university! Her studies got serious and so did her relationship with Shawn. On November 5th, 1994, she became the loving wife to Shawn and was thrilled to be called 'Mrs. Erickson'.
Shawn surprised Kristin with a romantic honeymoon in snowy Banff, and this would become the first of their many adventures traveling together. Home was a cute little house that Kristin and Shawn bought with Keri and Dave. It was a perfect starter home and a special bonding time for Kristin when her first niece Alanna arrived. She spent many hours loving on Alanna, but it was soon time to move on. After a brief time in a little apartment, Kristin and Shawn bought their first home together on Moss Court, in Abbotsford. Kristin continued to work as a waitress while going to school, and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from SFU through the University of the Fraser Valley in June of 1997. Since Shawn also graduated at the same time, a month long celebration trip to Europe was planned where they visited family in Finland and England, while also traveling to Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
Upon their return, Kristin filled an administrative position here at Abbotsford Pentecostal Assembly, and she excitedly anticipated the birth of her first child. She spent the months leading up to the birth planning the fall fun fair for the church. She didn't want to miss it after all of the hard work she had put in, but her contractions started while working at the goldfish tank!! She NEVER wanted to leave a party early and stayed until the end! Her precious son, Kyle Bradley, made a grand entrance the next morning on November 2nd, 1998. It was love at first sight, and of course she was thrilled that he had her signature red hair!
Three years later Kristin was over the moon when she called to announce that we would have a Christmas baby to cuddle! Once again, Kristin didn't want to miss a party and she almost had an unplanned home birth as she gathered with the Templeton family to celebrate Christmas! Kristin was thrilled to introduce her beautiful Christmas gift, Miranda Joy Noel, on December 23, 2001. Later on, Kristin decided that she was ready for school again and enrolled in counseling courses at Trinity Western University. While balancing married life, two small children, and her courses, she learned that her family was growing again.
A second precious son, Braden Templeton, was born on November 25, 2004. Kristin was a proud mommy and was thrilled to show off her crew! We all thought she was a little crazy when they packed up and moved to Chilliwack only two months later. Kristin made friends wherever she went and found a new love; the school PAC!!! She was VERY passionate about her kids and their education!
In 2006, they packed up their three kids and moved back to Abbotsford, where Kristin once again found joy in being part of the school community. She eventually became the PAC president at Dunach Elementary, and if you would lend her your ear she would talk for hours about what she was most passionate about.
Nobody was surprised when Kristin announced that baby number 4, another winter baby to cuddle, was on his way! A little charmer, Connor Dean, was born on December 2nd, 2006. Kristin's mothering style was extremely unique and she had no idea that God was using her to prepare her children for the journey ahead.
Kristin was only weeks away from completing her last full semester in the Library and Information Technology program at UFV, when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Since Kristin's circle of friends and family grew so large over the years, she blogged her cancer journey in an effort to keep everyone informed. She was 'good-overwhelmed' (as she often said) of the love and support flowing in, and she needed a way to let everyone know how things were going without leaving anyone out. It wasn't long before family, friends and strangers were captured by her authentic emotions; displaying her courage, faith, and hope, and always leaning on God in all circumstances.
Little did she know that God had that special someone waiting for her and she no longer needed to study boys at the university! Her studies got serious and so did her relationship with Shawn. On November 5th, 1994, she became the loving wife to Shawn and was thrilled to be called 'Mrs. Erickson'.
Shawn surprised Kristin with a romantic honeymoon in snowy Banff, and this would become the first of their many adventures traveling together. Home was a cute little house that Kristin and Shawn bought with Keri and Dave. It was a perfect starter home and a special bonding time for Kristin when her first niece Alanna arrived. She spent many hours loving on Alanna, but it was soon time to move on. After a brief time in a little apartment, Kristin and Shawn bought their first home together on Moss Court, in Abbotsford. Kristin continued to work as a waitress while going to school, and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from SFU through the University of the Fraser Valley in June of 1997. Since Shawn also graduated at the same time, a month long celebration trip to Europe was planned where they visited family in Finland and England, while also traveling to Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
Upon their return, Kristin filled an administrative position here at Abbotsford Pentecostal Assembly, and she excitedly anticipated the birth of her first child. She spent the months leading up to the birth planning the fall fun fair for the church. She didn't want to miss it after all of the hard work she had put in, but her contractions started while working at the goldfish tank!! She NEVER wanted to leave a party early and stayed until the end! Her precious son, Kyle Bradley, made a grand entrance the next morning on November 2nd, 1998. It was love at first sight, and of course she was thrilled that he had her signature red hair!
Three years later Kristin was over the moon when she called to announce that we would have a Christmas baby to cuddle! Once again, Kristin didn't want to miss a party and she almost had an unplanned home birth as she gathered with the Templeton family to celebrate Christmas! Kristin was thrilled to introduce her beautiful Christmas gift, Miranda Joy Noel, on December 23, 2001. Later on, Kristin decided that she was ready for school again and enrolled in counseling courses at Trinity Western University. While balancing married life, two small children, and her courses, she learned that her family was growing again.
A second precious son, Braden Templeton, was born on November 25, 2004. Kristin was a proud mommy and was thrilled to show off her crew! We all thought she was a little crazy when they packed up and moved to Chilliwack only two months later. Kristin made friends wherever she went and found a new love; the school PAC!!! She was VERY passionate about her kids and their education!
In 2006, they packed up their three kids and moved back to Abbotsford, where Kristin once again found joy in being part of the school community. She eventually became the PAC president at Dunach Elementary, and if you would lend her your ear she would talk for hours about what she was most passionate about.
Nobody was surprised when Kristin announced that baby number 4, another winter baby to cuddle, was on his way! A little charmer, Connor Dean, was born on December 2nd, 2006. Kristin's mothering style was extremely unique and she had no idea that God was using her to prepare her children for the journey ahead.
Kristin was only weeks away from completing her last full semester in the Library and Information Technology program at UFV, when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Since Kristin's circle of friends and family grew so large over the years, she blogged her cancer journey in an effort to keep everyone informed. She was 'good-overwhelmed' (as she often said) of the love and support flowing in, and she needed a way to let everyone know how things were going without leaving anyone out. It wasn't long before family, friends and strangers were captured by her authentic emotions; displaying her courage, faith, and hope, and always leaning on God in all circumstances.
A few days before leaving us, she whispered her last words,
'I love you.... I have Jesus in my heart'.
beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA Beautiful Eulogy for a BEAUTIFUL Kristen
ReplyDeleteAn amazing tribute to Kristin's love of life. Thinking of you all x
ReplyDelete