James Van Der Beek<\/a> in his “final days”.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Stacy Keibler remembers friend James Van Der Beek<\/p>\n
The former WWE star paid tribute to her late friend after the Dawson’s Creek star died on Wednesday (11.02.26) aged 48 after being diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer back in August 2023.<\/p>\n
Sharing a sunset photo of herself kneeling by his wheelchair as they smiled and chatted, she wrote on Instagram: “@vanderjames Spending these final days with you has been a true gift from God.<\/p>\n
“I have never been so present in my life. When you know time is sacred, you don’t waste a single breath. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. <\/p>\n
“You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change colors and you let it change you too. “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.”<\/p>\n
\nThe AGe-year-old retired wrestler – who coincidentally appeared on Dancing With The Stars in 2006, 13 years before James joined the cast – opened up about some of their last conversations before he passed.<\/p>\n
\nShe continued: “The other night we watched the sunset together as you shared your wisdom, your hopes, and the promises we made to each other.<\/p>\n
\n“We talked about how this world can feel upside down\u2026and how maybe heaven needs your spirit now to help steady us down here.<\/p>\n
\n“And just as the sun slipped away, a shooting star crossed the sky\u2026as if to remind us that none of this is random.<\/p>\n
\n“You are a gift. An incredible husband. An extraordinary dad. The way you showed up for @vanderkimberly and your children\u2026 steady, strong, devoted\u2026was a blessing to witness.<\/p>\n
\n“It has been an honor to stand beside your family in these sacred moments. It’s pretty incredible how someone can fight so hard for so long, travel the world battling so much, and somehow still look so handsome doing it.”<\/p>\n
\nStacy revealed James’ smile “never left” him during his health struggles, and she can already feel his presence now that he’s gone.<\/p>\n
\nShe wrote: “That smile never left you. You have given this world so many gifts. Your presence was a bright light in my life, and in so many others.<\/p>\n
\n“And while your physical body may no longer be here, I know your spirit is doing big things. I feel it already. <\/p>\n
\n“We may have lost a good one here on earth\u2026 but heaven gained something extraordinary. I will think of you every time I watch a sunset. Every time I see a rainbow stretch across the sky. I’ll know you’re there. <\/p>\n
\n“And maybe the lesson you leave us with is this: The present moment is everything. Love the people in front of you. Say the words. Watch the sunset. Trust God, even when you don’t understand. Thank you for changing me. I will carry you with me. Always.”<\/p>\n
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