the
Book of
Eben
In a land far away and a time long ago Eben was born… and the world became a better place
I
t is no mistake that Eben reads fantasy novels, is a master at role playing games and has written a novel. Through his world of fantasy he has created places where ordinary people become legends. Eben (aka Stepping Stone) himself, has become a legend amongst his friends. In his book, the character “Hemlock,” portrays this legend and is a reflection of everything Eben. They both are honest, forthright, sincere, and are prone to long moments of thought and silence. The two of them literally stride through mountain trails with the furrowed brow of contemplation. Sit down with a hot mug of your best mint tea and enjoy a glimpse into the life of Eben. —Adam Barnum
Dear Eben The pictures in this book were culled from a variety of sources. Those from the past ten years or so are mainly from my digital archive of Heasley photos. Beyond that, from a hodgepodge of sources, but primarily from your mom’s “photo bin”. Obviously their are many important omissions, but I hope this tiny selection will, at the very least trigger your more than adequate imagination to fill in the blanks. You should also know that this book is a work in progress and that additions and modifications can be made with the click of a mouse. There may in fact be pictures of you that you would just as soon forget. Sorry about that, but my criterion for editing was neither to flatter or flatten your ego. As usual, my inclination was to choose photographs that I thought were visually interesting”, or at least descriptive of some important event or relationship. Time being a major factor, however, (you know how that goes) I wasn’t able to include pictures of some of your closest current friends. Perhaps a few e-mail requests for those missing persons and events will round out a 2nd edition. That said, I hope you enjoy my first attempt at digital photo album making. You’re a fine specimen of celestial engineering and deserve the best. with love,
Todd Christmas, 2013
Grandparents
parents
Boy
Emily
Sanbornton Years
Man Making
Godfather
Dawn
M
y first glimpse into The Book of Eben begins on April 23, 1995 in the middle of a crowded shelter in Georgia as a hard rain falls. A tall, bald, bearded, happy-looking hiker comes smiling into the shelter as a chorus of voices greet him… ”Stepping Stone!” He climbs up the ladder to the loft where Ruth and I set up our sleeping bags, and as he glances into my eyes I feel a jolt like I’d never felt before. As I get to know him those next few weeks and months it becomes obvious to me that I have met someone unlike anyone I had ever met before. I get hooked on that first chapter, Stepping Stone, and I don’t want to put The Book of Eben down… Flip forward to April 25th, 1998 and Eben is looking into my eyes again, this time on the beach at Ocean Isle, as my husband at our second wedding. There is so much joy as we celebrate our commitment to each other with the family and friends we love. Then a year later, on April 23, 1999, Eben is looking intently into my eyes again, as Perrin comes into the world. I am exhausted and scared that Perrin may not be okay after a long and hard labor. Doctors and nurses and medical students whisk him away to give him oxygen and check his vitals. But Eben is there, present, reassuring. He is a rock, reflecting the meaning of his name. He is steady and even, like his name. And now the hero of our story has become a father, and also a teacher. He gives and loves and teaches and touches many lives. His eyes still sparkle: with love, with merriment, with mischief, with curiosity. Occasionally, he has a few moments to create: to start a book, to sing and make music, to write songs, to improve the house, to design a game. And in March of 2005 he becomes a father again. When Rylan comes into the world we are graced with an easy labor and birth. The nurse and nurse-midwife hardly come into the room until the very last minute. When he looks into my eyes this time, there is awe and gratitude for the amazing gift of children, the gift of life. And many Aprils have followed. Our home is bigger, our family is bigger, our lives are busier. But still, when Eben looks into my eyes, even at 6:45 in the morning before I’ve had my first cup of coffee, he helps me remember. I remember that he is here, that I am here, that we are loved, that we are blessed with a beautiful, precious family and life. And I can’t wait to read the next chapter of The Book of Eben; I still don’t want to put it down.
Perrin
Rylan
Expanding
mom
T
he news of my pregnancy was certainly unexpected, and at the young age of 20, I must admit I was a bit shaken…Your birth was not without a few scary moments, but when I did finally get to hold you in my arms, all of my fears of being a Mom evaporated and I fell in love. I floated for months in total bliss, and was perplexed by, at only 8 months, you no longer wanted to nurse, but insisted on a sippy cup. That to me was the first outward expression of your beautiful independent spirit. As I’ve looked over the contents of this book, I struggle with how to make this brief. Your life is extraordinary. When I had your astrology chart done as a child, I was told that you would have a charmed life. And charmed life you’ve had, but it’s due to who you are as a person. When you were initiated into Sant Mat as a young boy, I waited with great anticipation to see your face. You bounced over to me with the biggest grin and said, “now I know that I will never be alone”. From that moment on, I have never worried about you. (well, maybe a little, but that’s what Mom’s do!) You are and have always been one of my greatest teachers.
Love, mom
Brothers
Olivia