So many people have reached out to us across the globe and have comforted us with beautiful memories and gifts of grace. Here are some of them:
An Angel-Size Void
In honor of lovely little Erin Moore
by John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver
There’s a void in West Vancouver;
It is mighty though it’s small.
There’s a void in West Vancouver
We can’t explain at all.
A jigsaw piece is missing;
The rhythm missed a beat.
A soccer team is wanting;
In the class, an empty seat.
Clouds on the horizon
Can’t bring themselves to rain.
There’s a sadness in the wind,
A disquieting refrain.
There’s a void in Furry Creek;
It is mighty though it’s small.
There’s a void in Furry Creek
We can’t explain at all.
There’s a gift we’ll never open;
There’s a soft, unwritten song.
There’s a sense we’ve all been cheated,
As if God got it wrong.
Should we seek an explanation?
We can never say for sure
Why our sad and wounded nation
Was robbed of Erin Moore.
There’s a void in Lions Bay;
It is mighty though it’s small.
There’s a void in Lions Bay
We can’t explain at all.
Job who lived in ancient times
Lost each and every child.
He cried to God, to wife, and friend
But somehow reconciled.
He told us, “Our Redeemer lives
And will stand upon the earth;
Together, He will make us rise
In momentous second birth.”
There’s a void throughout our nation,
But look with Heaven’s eyes
At the prospect that we’ll meet again;
The void is Angel-size
Tribute from Chantal Trudeau - Principal: Ecole Pauline Johnson
Memories of Erin
I am so glad to be here today to share with you all some very special memories of Erin from Ecole Pauline Johnson. Erin was with us for just over a year, which is a short while in the grand scheme of things, but she touched the hearts of many people, adults and children alike. It is my pleasure to share some memories from a few of us who knew her best.
This message is from her Grade 1 teacher, Mme Joanne Gauthier.
“I remember when Erin first came to PJ into my Grade 1 class. She was a quiet, but not shy, girl who kind of looked around this French environment and seemed to be saying, ok I'll try this out. She sat at the carpet listening and absorbing the language. She was also very flexible and did not enjoy sitting "criss-cross apple sauce" as we say in the early grades, but liked to stretch out and pull her legs into all sorts of positions or rock back and forth as she listened hard and learned.
After a few months she looked completely at ease in class and had made some good friends. By spring she had blossomed more than any flower. Now her hand was springing up almost every morning to share her morning news, in quite fluent French, about what she was up to with her friends and family. She shared her ideas with us all the time and could be placed with any group of kids and counted on to work well with any of them. She wasn't so quiet anymore and was brimming with confidence. Her mom once told me that Erin was proud of speaking French, that it was her "thing" that she could do better than anyone else in the family. I was very proud of her too and watching her grow over the year in so many ways was an absolute pleasure. Erin was the type of student who makes teaching joyful and worthwhile. I will always carry the beautiful memories of this lovely girl in my heart.”
This next message is from Mme Lindsay Storry, her Grade 2 teacher this year:
“In sharing my grief over the tragic loss of Erin, Elizabeth reminded me that teaching is the greatest vocation of all, for the connections we make with children stay with us for a lifetime. This is particularly true in Erin's case. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to know and connect with Erin. She has touched my life personally with her kindness, and professionally as she taught me more than she will ever know.
I will always remember Erin as the sweet and determined young girl who loved bright colours, her friends, and speaking French. She worked hard in class and always showed a strong desire to do her best. She participated with enthusiasm in her own quiet way, and she loved sharing her ideas with the class. Her confidence grew every day. She was happy and kind and loved helping her teacher and friends. She had developed close friendships with her peers and she was keen to work and play in small groups. She enjoyed learning in Grade 2 and she took pride in her achievements. She was very proud to be learning at a French school and delighted in her special ability to speak French in her family. She loved exploring through hands-on activities and was especially drawn to science experiments. This is particularly true about our unit on magnets, which she dove into with enthusiasm and joy. I remember her big smile and excitement as she discovered whether various materials were magnetic or not, and the power of different magnets. This is the happy image of Erin that will forever be stamped on my heart. This Christmas under my tree was a gift selected by Erin. She had chosen for me a magnet set. Her kindness and generosity knew no bounds and she will no doubt be with me in spirit every time I teach about magnets.”
Mlle Noshin Samji, a teacher on call in our district, had this to say about Erin: “I teach a large number of different students in my line of work, but I particularly remembered and noticed Erin each time I taught her classes because of her conscientiousness and her sweet disposition - she had a beautiful spirit.”
Most of my personal memories of Erin live in the playground at recess and in the classroom at lunch time. I met Erin when she joined us at the beginning of Grade 1. I had talked with Elizabeth about her interest to bring Erin to Pauline Johnson prior to that, and I had learned that she was a young girl keen to learn and interested in speaking French. Everything that I learned from Elizabeth told me that Erin would adjust quickly and be successful in the French Immersion Program. Erin loved learning. She was quiet but participated and observed. She made friends very quickly and loved playing outside at recess, where the monkey bars and the tire swings entertained her so many hours. She was a very active young lady. I think I told her at least 100 times to go back to her classroom to get her jacket when she tried to sneak by me without it, and every time I told her that, she gave me a beautiful grin and said “oui madame”. She did put on her jacket for a few minutes to humour me, but I know full well that she took it off as soon as she was out the door! When I was in her class supervising during lunch, I would ask Erin every day why her shoes were not on her feet. She would smile and pretend to put them on. Sometimes she would see me walk in and would try to grab her shoes with her feet and move them closer under her desk. She put a smile on my face so many times.
While I did know that Erin was a keen participant from what I saw at school, I did not know what a spirit of adventure she had until I read the beautiful tribute written by Mike and Elizabeth. It did not surprise me at all to learn what a risk taker she was. It is that spirit of adventure that I will keep with me as I go forward. Erin’s fearlessness will inspire me to push myself outside of my comfort zone. When I don’t feel brave or fearless, I will think of Erin getting to the top of the Chief at the age of 3, and it will help me to move onward and forward . She leaves an incredible legacy for a seven year old little girl. I feel honored to have known her and will treasure my memories of Erin forever.
The Other Side of the Mountains
For Erin Moore
I will journey to the far side of the mountains,
I will be away a long while.
In my pack I put my favorite doll
and my sketch book
and your smiling eyes.
I set my tears in it too
but after a moment, I removed them.
Now, I lack nothing
nor will I shed tears.
You, on this side of the mountains might weep
lacking me,
but know that you and I will never be apart
you in my eternal gaze, and me, yours.
By Kongyin (Anna Zhao)
(Mandarin Teacher at West Point Grey Academy)
2014/01/29
A Tribute from John Dudley: Coordinator of the Lion's Bay Monday walking group
The dictionary definition of rambunctious is boisterous, wild, rowdy, turbulent, and disorderly. When Erin was 5 years old she proudly told a friend of hers she was rumbunctious and if you throw in a few other words like generous, exuberant, delightful and loving, that somehow seemed to sum up Erin.
As soon as she mastered the art of walking she joined our hiking group and immediately endeared herself to all of us. She was constantly in motion and by the time we had finished a morning hike had covered twice the distance of anyone else, as she ran backwards and forwards like a young puppy.
Erin and her brother, Cameron, brought new life to our Monday hikes and no matter where we went she had to be at the front of the pack. At the age of 5 she scrambled up the Lion's on our annual village hike and 8 hours later when we arrived home was still bouncing up and down. It is like Erin who have inspired us to give everyone in our community an opportunity to access the incredible wilderness that lies at our doorstep. It was her zest for life that tells us why we choose to live here and not in the city. Whether you realize it or not, all of you who live here are risk-takers. Just by choosing to live in a house on the side of a steep unstable mountain with creeks that can turn into torrents rushing by makes you one. However, it is the risk-takers of this world who reveal to others the true human spirit and what we can be capable of if we take up the challenge.
Erin was one of those wonderful people who at such an early age was a risk-taker who inspired us more than we ever knew. It is in her memory and at parents request that it has been decided to rename the ''Totally Unnecessary Trail'' the 'Erin Moore Trail'. These haunting words written by Nicholas Adams keep coming back to me:
Listen to my footprints in your heart,
I am not gone but merely walk within you''.
Erin we didn't realize how much we loved you, you will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
Tribute by Natalie Michael - family friend and Brownie leader
I have known Erin since she first arrived in Canada. I had the pleasure of watching her grow up to be a beautiful polite cookie monster who could say hello in 3 languages – English, French, and Mandarin. I live a few doors down from the Moores in Furry Creek and I was one of Erin's Brownie leaders. In her seven years of life Erin has taught me a thing or two, and I wanted to share with you the 5 life lessons that she taught me with the hope that will inspire you too.
Lesson #1: Show Your Sparkle
If you are at a point in your life where you are feeling a bit dull and un-inspired, look to Erin Moore to remind you to show your sparkle. Erin showed her sparkle through her fashion sense and athletic ability.
For example, in our last Brownie meeting all the girls came dressed in their little uniform to make some Christmas ornaments. Erin stood out from the crowd because she had these HUGE sparkly owl earrings that took this brownie emblem to a whole new level. When I said, “Oh, I like your earrings Erin.” she beamed and sparkled that someone had noticed. She also sparkled on the trampoline. Forget about the usual bum drops and high kicks, Erin was doing flips by the time she was 5.
Lesson 2: Determination Counts
I don't know about you but sometimes I want to when things get hard I throw in the towel. Well, I might think twice about this if I was looking to Erin for inspiration.
I remember a time when I went to Skate with Santa with Liz and Erin. Both of them couldn't skate.
Well, let me re-phrase that. Both of them couldn't skate when they arrived, but by the end of it they were holding hands and cruising around the ice rink. The process to get there was hiliarious. Elizabeth would fall and get this intense look of frustration and determination on her face, and pick her self up, try to regain her balance with some spastic movements, only to lose her balance again and fall again. Well, like mother like daughter. There was Erin falling, getting up, and doing the same flailing around with the same look of intense determination on her face. After a few bruises, and might I add no tears...they got it in no time and were breezing around that rink holding hands.
Another way Erin showed the power of determination was when trick or treating. Trick or treating is a magical time in Furry Creek when the whole community decks out their houses and passes out loads of candy. As parents it gives us the warm and fuzzies because we realize what a special community we have.
Well last year Erin was dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She had the cutest costume which included her infamous red high healed shoes. With heals like that I thought it might slow her down...not Erin. Not only did she manage to get a ton of candy, she sprinted with determination in those red heals. Leaping over bushes, jumping up stairs, and running up the steep driveways in our hood carrying a bag of loot. Yes, Erin taught me that determination counts.
Lesson 3: Be Polite
If I ever want to forget my please and thank yous I just need to think of Erin to get me back in line.
When she was 3 years old, no joke, we had the Moore family for dinner. At the end of the meal Erin said to me and my husband Chris. “Thank you. That was a lovely supper, may I be excused?” We were floored!
And then just a few weeks ago when I was driving her home from Brownies one of the kids in the car said “oh god.” Erin said, “you know someone may take offense to that.” It was priceless!
Lesson 4: Select Who You Engage With
Erin also taught me that we don't need to give everyone the same amount of energy. She was definitely an observer, and had a tendency to be quiet until she decided to engage with you. It was almost like she was feeling the situation out. But, although selective, Erin was also quite smart in her strategy.
One group of people that she had no problem jumping right in there with was the Lions Bay firefighters.
When we took the Brownies to the fire station she was engaged right away. She charmed those men with her smile, and was the first kid to be sitting in the front seat with a fire hat on, playing with all the buttons and using the walkie talkie. Well done, Erin!
And, last but not least, the fifth lesson Erin taught me was Be With The People Who Light You Up.
For Erin, I know for sure that two people that lit her up were her brother Cameron and her dad.
My husband and I used to joke that Cameron and Erin sounded like one person. “Are CameronandErin coming? Where's Cameroneanderin?” What are cameronanderin doing? You could tell Erin was a huge fan of Cameron, and proud that she had talents like cartwheels that he just couldn't muster. And, we all know that Erin got her determination, grit (and I would argue some of her girliness) from her mother, yet in my estimation she was a daddy's girl.
When her dad used to come pick her up at Brownies she would light up as soon as she saw him. Their hugs had an ease that I hope every girl feels with her father. Yup, big lesson, be with the people who light you up.
So, I want to leave you with one thing to reflect on as a result of Erin Kate Moore.
And, that is to ask yourself: What is the sparkle you want to bring to the world today?
Composition from Sarah Berenburg in memory of Erin: http://www.cryptyc.com/star/newstar.mp3
A new star in the sky: Erin Kate Moore - donated by Sarah Marshall
Enchanted Forest - created by Lion's Bay friends and families in memory of Erin
Last year when we went to Sparks Day at Camp Olave, Erin and many of the other girls fell in love with this area called "The Enchanted Forest". It was a beautiful little spot in the woods where different Girl Guide Groups had contributed things over the years to make it special. There were displays of toadstools, fairies, elves, butterflies, and other little creatures. Wind chimes and mobiles dangled from the trees.
Friends of Erin are currently working on creating something similar on one of the trails in Lions Bay so people will have a special place to go that will truly capture Erin's amazing spirit.
A new Brownie Badge
All the girls will be given a little owl with an "E" on it that Heather has made as a way of commemorating Erin. There will be a badge which will be acquired by Brownies shaped by Erin's interests and aptitudes.
Little Trailblazer
A poem by J Pocock (Lion's Bay dad) in memory of Erin's spirit
Where are you gone now? Little trailblazer
Ahead of the pack no doubt
rounding the next bend
with love for adventure
Powered by a fearless heart
Where are you now ? Little trucker child
so cool to see along the path
you've been to places most people have never seen
and never will
You lead the way
inspiring everyone
as a ray of sunshine
Let's along the mountain trail
Where are you now? Girl of wonder
you've taken us down the unnecessary trail
where mother nature
inevitably pulls us all
into her bosom...
Your courageous heart
now has wings
as ours are taken with yours
along the other trail of love
to join you round the next bend
A drawing and poem from next-door-neighbour, Katie Jeffries
An Angel-Size Void
In honor of lovely little Erin Moore
by John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver
There’s a void in West Vancouver;
It is mighty though it’s small.
There’s a void in West Vancouver
We can’t explain at all.
A jigsaw piece is missing;
The rhythm missed a beat.
A soccer team is wanting;
In the class, an empty seat.
Clouds on the horizon
Can’t bring themselves to rain.
There’s a sadness in the wind,
A disquieting refrain.
There’s a void in Furry Creek;
It is mighty though it’s small.
There’s a void in Furry Creek
We can’t explain at all.
There’s a gift we’ll never open;
There’s a soft, unwritten song.
There’s a sense we’ve all been cheated,
As if God got it wrong.
Should we seek an explanation?
We can never say for sure
Why our sad and wounded nation
Was robbed of Erin Moore.
There’s a void in Lions Bay;
It is mighty though it’s small.
There’s a void in Lions Bay
We can’t explain at all.
Job who lived in ancient times
Lost each and every child.
He cried to God, to wife, and friend
But somehow reconciled.
He told us, “Our Redeemer lives
And will stand upon the earth;
Together, He will make us rise
In momentous second birth.”
There’s a void throughout our nation,
But look with Heaven’s eyes
At the prospect that we’ll meet again;
The void is Angel-size
Tribute from Chantal Trudeau - Principal: Ecole Pauline Johnson
Memories of Erin
I am so glad to be here today to share with you all some very special memories of Erin from Ecole Pauline Johnson. Erin was with us for just over a year, which is a short while in the grand scheme of things, but she touched the hearts of many people, adults and children alike. It is my pleasure to share some memories from a few of us who knew her best.
This message is from her Grade 1 teacher, Mme Joanne Gauthier.
“I remember when Erin first came to PJ into my Grade 1 class. She was a quiet, but not shy, girl who kind of looked around this French environment and seemed to be saying, ok I'll try this out. She sat at the carpet listening and absorbing the language. She was also very flexible and did not enjoy sitting "criss-cross apple sauce" as we say in the early grades, but liked to stretch out and pull her legs into all sorts of positions or rock back and forth as she listened hard and learned.
After a few months she looked completely at ease in class and had made some good friends. By spring she had blossomed more than any flower. Now her hand was springing up almost every morning to share her morning news, in quite fluent French, about what she was up to with her friends and family. She shared her ideas with us all the time and could be placed with any group of kids and counted on to work well with any of them. She wasn't so quiet anymore and was brimming with confidence. Her mom once told me that Erin was proud of speaking French, that it was her "thing" that she could do better than anyone else in the family. I was very proud of her too and watching her grow over the year in so many ways was an absolute pleasure. Erin was the type of student who makes teaching joyful and worthwhile. I will always carry the beautiful memories of this lovely girl in my heart.”
This next message is from Mme Lindsay Storry, her Grade 2 teacher this year:
“In sharing my grief over the tragic loss of Erin, Elizabeth reminded me that teaching is the greatest vocation of all, for the connections we make with children stay with us for a lifetime. This is particularly true in Erin's case. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to know and connect with Erin. She has touched my life personally with her kindness, and professionally as she taught me more than she will ever know.
I will always remember Erin as the sweet and determined young girl who loved bright colours, her friends, and speaking French. She worked hard in class and always showed a strong desire to do her best. She participated with enthusiasm in her own quiet way, and she loved sharing her ideas with the class. Her confidence grew every day. She was happy and kind and loved helping her teacher and friends. She had developed close friendships with her peers and she was keen to work and play in small groups. She enjoyed learning in Grade 2 and she took pride in her achievements. She was very proud to be learning at a French school and delighted in her special ability to speak French in her family. She loved exploring through hands-on activities and was especially drawn to science experiments. This is particularly true about our unit on magnets, which she dove into with enthusiasm and joy. I remember her big smile and excitement as she discovered whether various materials were magnetic or not, and the power of different magnets. This is the happy image of Erin that will forever be stamped on my heart. This Christmas under my tree was a gift selected by Erin. She had chosen for me a magnet set. Her kindness and generosity knew no bounds and she will no doubt be with me in spirit every time I teach about magnets.”
Mlle Noshin Samji, a teacher on call in our district, had this to say about Erin: “I teach a large number of different students in my line of work, but I particularly remembered and noticed Erin each time I taught her classes because of her conscientiousness and her sweet disposition - she had a beautiful spirit.”
Most of my personal memories of Erin live in the playground at recess and in the classroom at lunch time. I met Erin when she joined us at the beginning of Grade 1. I had talked with Elizabeth about her interest to bring Erin to Pauline Johnson prior to that, and I had learned that she was a young girl keen to learn and interested in speaking French. Everything that I learned from Elizabeth told me that Erin would adjust quickly and be successful in the French Immersion Program. Erin loved learning. She was quiet but participated and observed. She made friends very quickly and loved playing outside at recess, where the monkey bars and the tire swings entertained her so many hours. She was a very active young lady. I think I told her at least 100 times to go back to her classroom to get her jacket when she tried to sneak by me without it, and every time I told her that, she gave me a beautiful grin and said “oui madame”. She did put on her jacket for a few minutes to humour me, but I know full well that she took it off as soon as she was out the door! When I was in her class supervising during lunch, I would ask Erin every day why her shoes were not on her feet. She would smile and pretend to put them on. Sometimes she would see me walk in and would try to grab her shoes with her feet and move them closer under her desk. She put a smile on my face so many times.
While I did know that Erin was a keen participant from what I saw at school, I did not know what a spirit of adventure she had until I read the beautiful tribute written by Mike and Elizabeth. It did not surprise me at all to learn what a risk taker she was. It is that spirit of adventure that I will keep with me as I go forward. Erin’s fearlessness will inspire me to push myself outside of my comfort zone. When I don’t feel brave or fearless, I will think of Erin getting to the top of the Chief at the age of 3, and it will help me to move onward and forward . She leaves an incredible legacy for a seven year old little girl. I feel honored to have known her and will treasure my memories of Erin forever.
The Other Side of the Mountains
For Erin Moore
I will journey to the far side of the mountains,
I will be away a long while.
In my pack I put my favorite doll
and my sketch book
and your smiling eyes.
I set my tears in it too
but after a moment, I removed them.
Now, I lack nothing
nor will I shed tears.
You, on this side of the mountains might weep
lacking me,
but know that you and I will never be apart
you in my eternal gaze, and me, yours.
By Kongyin (Anna Zhao)
(Mandarin Teacher at West Point Grey Academy)
2014/01/29
A Tribute from John Dudley: Coordinator of the Lion's Bay Monday walking group
The dictionary definition of rambunctious is boisterous, wild, rowdy, turbulent, and disorderly. When Erin was 5 years old she proudly told a friend of hers she was rumbunctious and if you throw in a few other words like generous, exuberant, delightful and loving, that somehow seemed to sum up Erin.
As soon as she mastered the art of walking she joined our hiking group and immediately endeared herself to all of us. She was constantly in motion and by the time we had finished a morning hike had covered twice the distance of anyone else, as she ran backwards and forwards like a young puppy.
Erin and her brother, Cameron, brought new life to our Monday hikes and no matter where we went she had to be at the front of the pack. At the age of 5 she scrambled up the Lion's on our annual village hike and 8 hours later when we arrived home was still bouncing up and down. It is like Erin who have inspired us to give everyone in our community an opportunity to access the incredible wilderness that lies at our doorstep. It was her zest for life that tells us why we choose to live here and not in the city. Whether you realize it or not, all of you who live here are risk-takers. Just by choosing to live in a house on the side of a steep unstable mountain with creeks that can turn into torrents rushing by makes you one. However, it is the risk-takers of this world who reveal to others the true human spirit and what we can be capable of if we take up the challenge.
Erin was one of those wonderful people who at such an early age was a risk-taker who inspired us more than we ever knew. It is in her memory and at parents request that it has been decided to rename the ''Totally Unnecessary Trail'' the 'Erin Moore Trail'. These haunting words written by Nicholas Adams keep coming back to me:
Listen to my footprints in your heart,
I am not gone but merely walk within you''.
Erin we didn't realize how much we loved you, you will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
Tribute by Natalie Michael - family friend and Brownie leader
I have known Erin since she first arrived in Canada. I had the pleasure of watching her grow up to be a beautiful polite cookie monster who could say hello in 3 languages – English, French, and Mandarin. I live a few doors down from the Moores in Furry Creek and I was one of Erin's Brownie leaders. In her seven years of life Erin has taught me a thing or two, and I wanted to share with you the 5 life lessons that she taught me with the hope that will inspire you too.
Lesson #1: Show Your Sparkle
If you are at a point in your life where you are feeling a bit dull and un-inspired, look to Erin Moore to remind you to show your sparkle. Erin showed her sparkle through her fashion sense and athletic ability.
For example, in our last Brownie meeting all the girls came dressed in their little uniform to make some Christmas ornaments. Erin stood out from the crowd because she had these HUGE sparkly owl earrings that took this brownie emblem to a whole new level. When I said, “Oh, I like your earrings Erin.” she beamed and sparkled that someone had noticed. She also sparkled on the trampoline. Forget about the usual bum drops and high kicks, Erin was doing flips by the time she was 5.
Lesson 2: Determination Counts
I don't know about you but sometimes I want to when things get hard I throw in the towel. Well, I might think twice about this if I was looking to Erin for inspiration.
I remember a time when I went to Skate with Santa with Liz and Erin. Both of them couldn't skate.
Well, let me re-phrase that. Both of them couldn't skate when they arrived, but by the end of it they were holding hands and cruising around the ice rink. The process to get there was hiliarious. Elizabeth would fall and get this intense look of frustration and determination on her face, and pick her self up, try to regain her balance with some spastic movements, only to lose her balance again and fall again. Well, like mother like daughter. There was Erin falling, getting up, and doing the same flailing around with the same look of intense determination on her face. After a few bruises, and might I add no tears...they got it in no time and were breezing around that rink holding hands.
Another way Erin showed the power of determination was when trick or treating. Trick or treating is a magical time in Furry Creek when the whole community decks out their houses and passes out loads of candy. As parents it gives us the warm and fuzzies because we realize what a special community we have.
Well last year Erin was dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She had the cutest costume which included her infamous red high healed shoes. With heals like that I thought it might slow her down...not Erin. Not only did she manage to get a ton of candy, she sprinted with determination in those red heals. Leaping over bushes, jumping up stairs, and running up the steep driveways in our hood carrying a bag of loot. Yes, Erin taught me that determination counts.
Lesson 3: Be Polite
If I ever want to forget my please and thank yous I just need to think of Erin to get me back in line.
When she was 3 years old, no joke, we had the Moore family for dinner. At the end of the meal Erin said to me and my husband Chris. “Thank you. That was a lovely supper, may I be excused?” We were floored!
And then just a few weeks ago when I was driving her home from Brownies one of the kids in the car said “oh god.” Erin said, “you know someone may take offense to that.” It was priceless!
Lesson 4: Select Who You Engage With
Erin also taught me that we don't need to give everyone the same amount of energy. She was definitely an observer, and had a tendency to be quiet until she decided to engage with you. It was almost like she was feeling the situation out. But, although selective, Erin was also quite smart in her strategy.
One group of people that she had no problem jumping right in there with was the Lions Bay firefighters.
When we took the Brownies to the fire station she was engaged right away. She charmed those men with her smile, and was the first kid to be sitting in the front seat with a fire hat on, playing with all the buttons and using the walkie talkie. Well done, Erin!
And, last but not least, the fifth lesson Erin taught me was Be With The People Who Light You Up.
For Erin, I know for sure that two people that lit her up were her brother Cameron and her dad.
My husband and I used to joke that Cameron and Erin sounded like one person. “Are CameronandErin coming? Where's Cameroneanderin?” What are cameronanderin doing? You could tell Erin was a huge fan of Cameron, and proud that she had talents like cartwheels that he just couldn't muster. And, we all know that Erin got her determination, grit (and I would argue some of her girliness) from her mother, yet in my estimation she was a daddy's girl.
When her dad used to come pick her up at Brownies she would light up as soon as she saw him. Their hugs had an ease that I hope every girl feels with her father. Yup, big lesson, be with the people who light you up.
So, I want to leave you with one thing to reflect on as a result of Erin Kate Moore.
And, that is to ask yourself: What is the sparkle you want to bring to the world today?
Composition from Sarah Berenburg in memory of Erin: http://www.cryptyc.com/star/newstar.mp3
A new star in the sky: Erin Kate Moore - donated by Sarah Marshall
Enchanted Forest - created by Lion's Bay friends and families in memory of Erin
Last year when we went to Sparks Day at Camp Olave, Erin and many of the other girls fell in love with this area called "The Enchanted Forest". It was a beautiful little spot in the woods where different Girl Guide Groups had contributed things over the years to make it special. There were displays of toadstools, fairies, elves, butterflies, and other little creatures. Wind chimes and mobiles dangled from the trees.
Friends of Erin are currently working on creating something similar on one of the trails in Lions Bay so people will have a special place to go that will truly capture Erin's amazing spirit.
A new Brownie Badge
All the girls will be given a little owl with an "E" on it that Heather has made as a way of commemorating Erin. There will be a badge which will be acquired by Brownies shaped by Erin's interests and aptitudes.
Little Trailblazer
A poem by J Pocock (Lion's Bay dad) in memory of Erin's spirit
Where are you gone now? Little trailblazer
Ahead of the pack no doubt
rounding the next bend
with love for adventure
Powered by a fearless heart
Where are you now ? Little trucker child
so cool to see along the path
you've been to places most people have never seen
and never will
You lead the way
inspiring everyone
as a ray of sunshine
Let's along the mountain trail
Where are you now? Girl of wonder
you've taken us down the unnecessary trail
where mother nature
inevitably pulls us all
into her bosom...
Your courageous heart
now has wings
as ours are taken with yours
along the other trail of love
to join you round the next bend
A drawing and poem from next-door-neighbour, Katie Jeffries