The world lost a man Friday with a heart of gold. I first met Ernie Cauthen when I was in high school. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Glenda. At that point in my life, I didn't realize what an impact this couple would have in my life & how 28 yrs later I'd be working with him.
We even took a church ski trip together & due to rough conditions, we rode on a toboggan while ski patrol skied us down the mountain at a breakneck speed. I just remember holding on for my dear life & praying we would end up at the bottom of the mountain in one piece. Our lives would intertwine over the years, as Ernie began work at my dad's elevator business. Over the years, it was "Ernie can fix this, Ernie can do that, Ernie can come over & look at it, let me call Ernie, have you called Ernie & Ernie is on his way".
He designed & built my kitchen almost 10 yrs ago. Some people asked, "Why are you letting him design it" and I replied, he's done this so many times - he knows what I need & how to build it. He built it to last, built it to stay & built it right.
To even recall all he's done for my family, would entail writing a book. The time's he fixed flats, fixed a leaking sink, fixed an outlet/wall switch, jumped a car off, helped paint rooms, helped remodel houses, worked extra hours, endless weekends, cut grass, swept, cleaned, the list can go on and on and on. Two weeks ago my dryer quit, who did I call ? Ernie of course. He told me exactly what to check - I didn't believe it would make my dryer work - but it did. There was a piece of string keeping the dryer door connecting to the latch & once I removed it - poof - magic - the dryer worked.
I'm going to miss hearing him come down the hall, teasingly ask me when my phone rings "Is that your latest boyfriend? You know you can tell me - what's his name, what does he do, is he a Christian & does he treat you right". He always worried about me, worried that I'd meet another wrong one, & always wanted me to find a good one. I know that if I could find a perfect guy - I'd want one like the Ernie I knew & loved.
Four years ago when my mom was in the hospital, Glenda & Ernie were right there. They were at the hospital constantly, checking in on all of us, showing us love, support & doing so much for us. When my mom was going to come home from the hospital, they were the first I called to ask if they could come help us get the house ready. They came over to help clean, paint, & get the room ready. They were there the next day when my mom left this earth for her heavenly home. They were there at the house to receive guests, family, friends & to just be such steady rocks when our lives seemed to be at such a loss. Whenever there was a loss or need, Glenda showed up with a basket of goodies & Ernie had the coolers full of ice & drinks.
Today at my dad's looking at all the destruction around us from the tornado, my dad said "I don't know what to do, but I know if Ernie was here - I could just call him & he would know what to do". That is so true & so many times today, I wished I could have dialed his #, heard his voice say "what can I do to help". He should have been called "Mr Fix It" because there wasn't much he couldn't fix or build.
We played cards together, laughed together, cried together, talked about old times, fun times, the good, the bad, all about life, kids, grandkids & work. I'm glad for the all times we've shared, glad this past Thursday we chatted before he left the office for the last time. He was excited as always, about going to Arkansas to visit his son, daughter-in-law & newest grandson. I said as always, "have fun & take lots of pictures". He said have a good weekend - see you on Monday.
When I say this man had a Big Heart - he was a Godly man, a man that didn't mind carrying his wife's packages or even her purse. He enjoyed getting up on a cold winter morning - starting a fire in the fireplace for her, making her coffee & bringing it to her in bed. He was about doing for others - more than for himself. He was about laughter, he was about loving his kids / grandkids / especially his wife. To know him was to know he was a dependable man, a man with a heart of gold, & a man with a love of God.
He's not a man that we can replace, not even at work. He's not a man that liked to be idle, he liked doing. But he did have one vice that he loved to do - he enjoyed solitaire & enjoyed coming into my office to tell me he had won the game.
Well ... the game for him in life on this earth has come to an end - I know heaven is celebrating with having him there & knowing my mom, she's already showed him all around. They're sitting around - drinking coffee, swapping stories, showing pictures of the kids, grandkids, talking about work, listening to the big choir in heaven & enjoying their day.
Thank you God for sharing with us this man with a Big Heart, for letting us have him for a while & letting him touch our lives & hearts in such a strong & positive way. "BIG E" - we're going to miss you so much - the world won't be the same, but we know you're okay & we'll be okay as well. Thank you for being my friend, my big brother in Christ & for always being there. We'll watch over your family, & we'll be there for them like you've always been there for us.
