THE LEGACY PROJECT
"The goal isn't to live forever. It is to create something that will."
-Chuck Palahniuk
BEAUTY RISES FROM ASHES
Many heroes are born out of the trials and hardships they face throughout their lifetime and Ron Erbel was no different. Like any hero, Ron's life wasn’t always easy. His circumstances weren’t always pleasant, and he didn’t always do the right things. However, he would continually preach that every moment was either a teachable opportunity or one to learn from. His journey is a heroine story of how beauty rises from the ashes, just as he did.
My dad was a man of few words but loved to work with his hands and I quickly learned if I could figure out how to listen in between the silence, alongside a task at hand, he would have a good story or lesson to share. I found opportunities to work with my dad just to listen between his silence and I've been making notes of Ron Erbel's stories and lessons for a lifetime.
When my dad got sick, we spent a lot of time just sitting together without a task to do. We would exchange stories just to pass time. When he understood his time was limited, he enjoyed reminiscing and he would exclaim mid-story, “Jenny, you need to write these stories down”.
RON'S WRITEN LEGACY
Shortly after my father's death I began to hear stories about my dad that I had not heard before. Each new story I heard made me think that my dad's life sounded like a book, and for that matter, one I would love to read myself but first someone had to write it.
I am honored to follow my dad's wishes and compile his stories, his legacy.
My father served many of you throughout his life and I hope you will honor him by sharing your own stories about Ron Erbel here
Ron had a way about him that made people feel seen and known, no matter how they came to know him.
He built community effortlessly and he humbly lived a life of sacrifice and service. He served his nation, his community, his family, friends, loved ones, and God. He lived a life worthy of remembering.
He built community effortlessly and he humbly lived a life of sacrifice and service. He served his nation, his community, his family, friends, loved ones, and God. He lived a life worthy of remembering.
"What you do is your history. What you set in motion is your legacy."
-Leonard Sweet