January 8, 2008
There’s beauty in life…
Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and get-well wishes for my father. Losing a parent is not something I thought I’d be dealing with at this time in my life.
Cancer is a horrible disease and it has overtaken his liver, leaving him feverish and weak. If I can be grateful for anything at this time, it’s that my dad lives in paradise:
There could not be a more beautiful place for him to be right now.
There is beauty in life.
Love,
Erika
UPDATE January 13: The fight is over. Cancer won. May he rest in peace.
My prayers go out to your dad and your family. God bless you!
Comment by Tayma — January 8, 2008 @ 5:58 am
We are still in prayer for you and your family. Love you much.
Comment by Julia — January 8, 2008 @ 6:51 am
))))E((((
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Comment by Annieytown — January 8, 2008 @ 7:04 am
Erika,
I, too, am dealing with my father and Liver Cancer. I am not ready for losing anyone. I wish you the very best and to have strength through this time.
xo
Joanna
Comment by Joanna Schmidt — January 8, 2008 @ 8:58 am
Dearest Erika, my prayers from across the miles for you and your family right now. I pray that all of you will continue to be strong. Do take care, much love…
Comment by Lisa Goh — January 8, 2008 @ 8:59 am
My prayers are with you an your family sweetie…
Comment by Lianne — January 8, 2008 @ 9:06 am
And you are right…there could be no greater place for him to be than in that glorious paradise.
Comment by Lianne — January 8, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Your in my thoughts, I lost my mom in 2000, way to young to cancer, and I know how hard it is to watch a parent slip away. Know when he goes its time for him to feel well and find peace. And you will be okay, and he is always close by. And you dont have to be strong, sometimes you have to break, its healthy and you must give in to those moments.
dani
Comment by Dani — January 8, 2008 @ 9:15 am
I can’t even imagine what you are going through, know that your family are in my prayers….
Comment by Vanessa — January 8, 2008 @ 9:24 am
WOW! THOSE PICS ARE GORGEOUS. I’M SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR FATHER. I LOST MY DADDY TO CANCER TWO YEARS AGO. IT’S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU DON’T EVER THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR FAMILY. STAY STRONG. JUST REMEMBER THAT AT LEAST YOU CAN BE THERE WITH HIM DURING THIS TIME.
Comment by HEIDI — January 8, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Best wishes to you and your family, Erika!
Comment by Christine — January 8, 2008 @ 10:21 am
Hugs to you and your family.
Ellen
Comment by Ellen — January 8, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
My heart and prayers are with you and your family. I lost my father two years ago, and I still miss him every day. All the best to you!
Comment by Chastity — January 8, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
Love and prayers to you and your family! What an inspiration you are to recognize and share beauty at this time … let that natural beauty continue to envelope you! xo
Comment by Roxy — January 8, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
Stay encouraged.
Comment by stephanie — January 8, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
God bless you. I lost my grandmother to liver cancer last year and it was very hard to deal with. I was with her through the onset and the end. Seeing her slip between my fingertips was so very hard.The strong, valiant, proud woman I admired was suddenly unable to wipe herself, or feed herself, or remember her beautiful life. Thankfully and mercifully, She is now in peace. I Just prayed for you and your family.
Comment by AdaysDawn — January 8, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
E, you and your family are in my thoughts. I am so sorry to hear this news. It’s such a tough road but at least you’re there with him…stay strong for your dad!
Comment by Kristen — January 8, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
Sending you prayers and hugs, Erika.
Aloha, Soos
Comment by Soos — January 8, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
We continue to keep you and your family in our thoughts…
Comment by Lilan — January 8, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Oh Erika, I am so sorry. Bless your dads heart. I will continue to have your sweet dad, you, and your family in my thoughts, and prayers. Hugs for all of you.
Comment by Carol — January 8, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
I’m so sorry about your father. I am hoping the best for your family.
Cancer really is horrible – my grandfather was diagnosed with throat cancer last year. He was lucky, he beat it, and I hope your father can too.
Comment by Abbey — January 8, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
Dear Erika,
All my love, thoughts, best wishes and prayers go out to you and your family at this most difficult time.
*hugs*
Sincerely,
Sarah
Comment by Sarah — January 8, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
erika,
wishing you peace.
i’m so sorry for your loss.
bless,
sara
Comment by sara — January 8, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
erika,
i’m so sorry, i misread your post. my dad also had cancer a few yrs ago, and it was a scary, confusing time. but prayers and love can work miracles.
sara
Comment by sara — January 8, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
I love Makeup Bag and I visit your site all the time. I too have dealt with cancer in my family. My mom passed away last month to the disease. I’m only 21, so it’s been pretty hard for me. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Comment by Kelly — January 8, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Erika.
I have been thinking about you and your father all week…hoping you are okay, and sending you and your family good thoughts and well wishes.
You have an engaging and endearing spirit and in our short visit together, it is easy to see that you are truly an amazing person.
When I meet genuine people that I immediately enjoy, I often think…his or her parents did a good job. I have to assume your father has shaped the woman we know today…and I have no doubt he is proud.
Spending this time with your father is an incredible gift. Enjoy it, be strong for him, and know you are loved.
b.
Comment by Ben — January 9, 2008 @ 12:09 am
Oh Erika, I’m so sorry! I love to read your website to find out what’s up in the makeup world and this quiet lurker really loves what you’re doing and reading about your life. Your dad is in my thoughts and prayers – cherish every moment you have together. My beloved uncle is going through chemo/radiation for throat cancer at the moment and it kills me to be 3000 miles away from him – I hope sending my love via phone and email is helping.
Oh, a few of my friends are involved in this project to spread decent cancer care worldwide:
http://www.lovehopestrength.org/
Too many people we all love are hurting and dying because of cancer… I’m fervently hoping through medical research and projects like this we can beat this horrid illness someday.
Comment by Paula(bear) — January 9, 2008 @ 4:10 am
God Bless all of you Erika. My prayers are with you and your family.
Comment by The Beauty Alchemist — January 9, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Erika, my hugs and prayers and thoughts of sympathy are with you and your family. My father is also in paradise, living in Oahu, and has been battling prostate cancer and sarcoma since 2000 and my mother is battling breast cancer in Japan. May our strength, love and hope help our loved ones and outselves through this most difficult time. I pray for science to end this horrible disease. The cure cannot come soon enough…
Please take care,
Katherine
Comment by Katherine — January 9, 2008 @ 11:27 am
Erika,
My prayers are with you, and hopefully you know you will see him in the resurrection. I sincerely hope your father will be all right.
-A.
Comment by Abi — January 9, 2008 @ 11:43 am
I lost my younger sister to cancer 6 years ago. It is terrible to see one’s loved one suffer, but take heart that being with them at this difficult time, means the world to them. Your father is blessed to be in such a beautiful place (surrounded by his family). You and your family are in my prayers.
Comment by Hanneri — January 9, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
Erika,
I just read this today I’m so sorry for my rather delayed reply in saying how sorry I am to hear about your father.
All my prayers and love go out to you and your beautiful family during a hard time!
Comment by theMuse — January 9, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Erika,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I hope you can find some peace this week, I know it’s hard. I’m so, so sorry.
Comment by Fabulista — January 9, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
Wishing all the comfort possible to you and your family.
Comment by Lori — January 9, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
My thoughts are with you and your family, Erika.
Comment by Susanna — January 9, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Hi, I’m sorry to read about your father and wish you and your family the best. Take care.
Comment by Lisa — January 9, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
Erika – you have given so many of us so much fun and pleasure reading your blog – if there’s anything to karma I hope all those positive feelings come back to you at this time in your life and buoy your spirits a bit. More prayers and positive thoughts coming your way…..
Sarah
Comment by sarah — January 10, 2008 @ 5:34 am
Erika, you and your family are in my thoughts. I cannot imagine the hard time you are having. I’m glad he is living in such a paradise and I hope he finds comfort and beauty there right now.
Sarita
Comment by Sarita — January 10, 2008 @ 5:34 am
I understand you completely. When they are with us, we don’t understand their importance and incredible role, but when they are away, we do.
His soul will go rest in Heaven, he has you, it is the best and the most, he has done.
Stay encouraged! Life goes on!
-armine
Comment by Armine Abrahamyan — January 10, 2008 @ 6:39 am
I am sorry to hear of your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take all the time you need, all your readers love you!!!
Comment by mcnals — January 10, 2008 @ 6:46 am
I’m so sorry about your father passing away, my prayers are with you and your family at this awful time.
Comment by Ruth — January 10, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
I am very sorry for your loss, Erika.
Best wishes to you and your family!
Comment by PJ — January 10, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
Hi Erika,
So sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts have been and will continue to be with your father, you and your family.
I lost my uncle to cancer last year-the most horrendous thing for a family to go through. Stay strong and much love to everyone else who’s lost a loved to the disease.
Those pictures are breathtaking. He couldnt be in better place surrounded by his loved ones.
Keeping you and your father in my thoughts Erika,
Anna
Comment by Anna — January 10, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
Your pain and your father are in the hearts of your readers, we will be praying and thinking of you.
Comment by Anna — January 10, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
Stay strong, Erika. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love…
Comment by Daneen — January 10, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
During this very difficult time I wish you nothing but the best. My condolences.
Comment by Adina — January 11, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
*hugs* Erika, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I definitely understand what you’re going through because my sister has terminal leukemia. Keep your chin up, my prayers are with you.
Comment by RVAfashionista — January 11, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Comment by Marisol — January 12, 2008 @ 12:17 am
I know what you are going through. I lost my mother this past March to ovarian cancer. Cancer is an ugly, unforgiving disease. You and your family are in my prayers.
Comment by Shari — January 13, 2008 @ 3:26 am
Im sorry. May your father rest in peace. Mine also does, maybe theyl meet someday. dont forget that your father will always live on, inside hearts, and somewhere up there.
kisses
Comment by Silvi — January 14, 2008 @ 11:30 am
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
The greatest thing we can do for our loved ones is to be with them in their times of need: your father knows that you were there for him, and he will always be with you.
Comment by Lisa — January 14, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
I just read about your update abour father’s passing. My condolences to you Erika and your family. I’m so so sorry for your loss and I feel your pain.
May your father Rest In Peace and Paradise.
Comment by Anna V — January 14, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Oh, I am SOOO sorry for your loss! =( However, he is not suffering anymore…
Comment by claudia — January 14, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
Oh sweetheart, I am so sorry that your precious father has passed away. I wish I could be there to give you hugs.
My sister battled cervical cancer twice, and past away a year and a half ago. It has been hard, and I think about her every day.
I have thought, and prayed about you, and your dad every day also, and I will continue to pray for you and your beautiful family. God be with you.
Comment by Carol — January 14, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
RIP
Comment by Belinda — January 14, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
I am so sorry to hear that, Erika with family. My thoughts are with you.
Comment by Linn/Rocketqueen — January 16, 2008 @ 3:07 am
Do take care dear… *hugs* I’m sorry for your loss.
Comment by Lisa Goh — January 16, 2008 @ 3:50 am
I just read your update. I am so sorry…hope you and your family are holding up ok. I’m thinking of you. Lots of love – KK
Comment by Kristen — January 16, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I truly am sorry. My thoughts are with you and your family. May your dear father rest in peace…
Comment by Aurélie — January 16, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
Erika, I am so very sorry. My husband’s sister also battled liver cancer for 6 short weeks. I’m so sorry that your dad had to battle it too.
I’m happy, though, that you were able to be with him for his final days there in paradise.
I’m sorry for your loss.
xo
Comment by Shannon — January 16, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
So sorry
You are in many people’s thoughts and prayers.
Comment by Mandy — January 19, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace.
XO
Comment by P — January 20, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
I am so sorry for loss.
Comment by LT — January 21, 2008 @ 9:48 am
Hey Erika, I am so sorry. My mom passed away just a short time before your father…Jan 5th. You and your family are in my prayers.
Comment by Jessica — January 22, 2008 @ 1:32 am