James Van Der Beek’s entourage has shared intimate photos from the actor’s final days before his tragic death on February 11th.
Former WWE star Stacey Keibler revealed on Wednesday that she spent time with him shortly before his death, sharing a photo of their time together on Instagram.
In the snap, the “Dawson’s Creek” star is in a wheelchair and appears frail as Keibler crouches next to him and the two enjoy the sunset view.
“Spending my last days with you is a true gift from God. I have never felt so present in my life,” she began her long caption.
“When you know that time is sacred, you don’t waste every breath. You don’t rush. You don’t scroll. You don’t worry about tomorrow. You sit. You listen. You hold hands. You watch the sky change color, and you let it change you, too.”
The athlete wrote that spending the past few days with van der Beek, who died at age 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer, “taught me more about being here now than any book ever did” and “taught me what it feels like to trust in God’s plan.”
“The other day, we watched the sunset together and shared our wisdom, our hopes, and our promises.”
She praised her late friend for being an “amazing husband” to wife Kimberly van der Beek and “an extraordinary father” to his and Kimberly’s six children (Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabelle, 12, Emilia, eight, Gwendolyn, six, and Jeremiah, three) during his long battle with cancer.
“Maybe the lesson you left us is this: This moment is everything. Love the people in front of you. Say the word. Watch the sunset. Trust God even if you don’t understand,” Keebler concluded.
Designer Erin Featherston also acknowledged that she was by the actor’s last moments in an emotional post on her Instagram.
Featherston posted a carousel of photos, with the last side apparently being the most recent, showing him lying in bed with James standing over him and holding his hand.
“Brother James, you were loved by the whole world, but to us – you were Uncle James,” she wrote.
She thanked James for “always showing up” and recalled several times when he and Kimberly gave up everything to help her and her family.
Featherston said it was an “honour” to call the “Dancing with the Stars” alum his best friend and promised to take care of his family now that he’s gone.
James’ best friend Alfonso Ribeiro also shared a photo with the Varsity Blues actor, writing in the caption, “We got through this scary journey together to beat cancer.”
“His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when he seemed to get through were outweighed by the devastating lows that came back. I learned a lot from James,” the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alum wrote.
Ribeiro is the godfather to James and Kimberly’s daughter Gwen, a role he says he will always hold as “one of the most important people in[my]life.”
“I love you James. I know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always stay with me. Rest in peace my brother.”
Kimberly announced the beloved ’90s star’s death Wednesday through a joint statement on Instagram.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed away peacefully this morning,” she wrote.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. He has much to share about his wishes, his love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. That day will come.”
