James Van Der Beek passed away after a years-long battle with cancer, and former WWE star Stacy Keibler reflected on their time together in his final days.
Van Der Beek died on February 11 after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer over the past several years. The actor is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and their six children. The couple’s mutual friend, Stacy Keibler, shared a moving post on Instagram about spending time on his Texas ranch. Keibler called the experience a true gift and said she had “never been so present.”
Stacy Keibler says James Van Der Beek was a gift in her life
“In these past days, you taught me more about being present than any book ever could. You showed me what it looks like to trust God’s plan, even when it breaks your heart. Especially when it breaks your heart,” Keibler wrote on Instagram. “The other night we watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other. We talked about how this world can feel upside down…and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here. And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky…as if to remind us that none of this is random. You are a gift. An incredible husband. An extraordinary dad. The way you showed up for @vanderkimberly and your children…steady, strong, devoted…was a blessing to witness. It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments.”
Keibler spoke about Van Deer Beek’s smile staying with him, even in his hardest times. She said he had such a big presence, and she will “think of you every time I watch a sunset. Every time I see a rainbow stretch across the sky.”
A GoFundMe account has been started for the Van Der Beek family, as most of his money went towards treating his cancer over the past few years. In just a few hours, the campaign has passed $500,000 in donations.
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