Life According to Eric Was: 'Good, Good, Good'

Friday, in the pouring rain, my friend was laid in his eternal resting place. His life, seemed to have come to an untimely end in the minds of many, but it had been rich and full of accomplishments both large and small, no one can deny that. It was almost as though he deliberately crammed as much as he could into everyday because he was afraid he would miss out on experiencing something.  He was one of those rare people that the sun seemed to shine through every pore of his entire body even when the sun was actually no where to be found. He had the kind of a happy disposition that as parents we want to see in our children from the time that they are infants because we know that pleasant people just do better in personal relationships than those who are contrary individuals. And he seemed to have come to terms with what is really important in life and was able to go through his days striving to share his zest for living and his special talents effortlessly with those who had not yet made that discovery in the hope that they too could bask in and appreciate life’s goodness as he did.

To say he was unique would be an understatement as he was sort of a combination Peck’s Bad Boy and the Rock of Gibraltar along with a smidgeon of Robin Hood and sometimes a bit of  Marcus Wellby, MD  all rolled into one tight package. His mind, it seemed, worked in a way different from most, mechanically gifted which explained his penchant for gadgets, automobiles and his ability to understand the intricacies of  the sciences. Yet he was sensitive and caring which enabled him to give comfort and strength to others at those times when they needed it the most. To him life was to be not only viewed but also to be lived in Technicolor not just black and white with shades of gray. He could often be seen sitting on the side lines of a gathering political or not, with his arms crossed on his chest observing others with a smile on his face just basking in the glow of their pleasure. He had his foibles to be sure just like anyone else as he was not a saint but merely a man who had to face the trials and tribulations of life, death and survival like all of us but to his credit he had a firm grip on life’s priorities which was probably due to what he had witnessed through his personal career.

He was literally my life saver, when a major healthcare facility was reluctant to attempt to treat my illness he took me under his wing and guided the treatment that has made it possible for me to be here now. He insured that no stone was left unturned and frequently he personally would be in my hospital room reviewing my charts but more importantly helping me understand what was going on, what would be done and what the expected outcome would be. He was my advocate and my rock and to him I will be eternally grateful and thank his family for sharing him with me in my hour of need. But I am sure that is how he treated all of his patients; he gave them all he had because life was that precious to him.

He had always been there for me from the time I first got involved in politics until just days before his death and we would discuss issues which I might need guidance with from someone who was a step removed and could be objective. Often those conversations would finish with the reminder from him “remember that it’s only politics.”  However it was through politics that he managed to help some of the most vulnerable members of society and serve as an effective voice for them in the legislature. Be it individuals who are developmentally disabled to those held hostage by various Domestic Violence situations, he cared tremendously and did everything that was in his power to ensure that they would be treated with the respect that they were entitled to, even if it took a law.

Frequently we discussed our children, light hearted discussions nothing heavy duty. We both had what were considered in these times to be large families, he with five and me with my seven. I chided him often that mine outnumbered his but there is a mutual unspoken respect between the parents of large families. We know what it takes to simply make it thru the day with our sanity intact and with a heap of dishes from an ordinary daily supper that rivaled some peoples Thanksgiving dinner clean-ups. But at those times especially, we bragged about our spouses and how they managed to hold up the tent and provide us with a source of energy to draw on. Family was the most important thing to him, it became apparent almost immediately.

No doubt like everyone he had his detractors both politically and personally, but it has become very clear that though there are those who disagreed with him they still respected him. It is because he possessed the strength of his convictions and would without hesitation put his reputation on the line, no one can ever take that away from him. There is no doubt in my mind that he touched the lives of many in that way that only he could just as he had touched mine. That when he gave of himself he truly did just that, give of himself to anyone who right then and there needed to be helped.

It seems to me that we lose the really good ones way too soon, that we cannot comprehend how they could have been done with what they were destined to do when they are suddenly summoned into another place. However in retrospect when we reflect on their lives we realize that they will always be imprinted in our memories just as they were when they left us and that we are mourning our own loss and have not yet learned how to appreciate the challenges that each new day brings as they had.

Blessings on all whose lives he touched for I am sure that they are all better for having known Eric, he will be sorely missed.