This year (2001) at the MRF, I was having some personal problems.

The first time I met Eric He was sitting in the shade of the tarp at horse gate with an oxygen tank between his legs, he did not look well and he was wheezing, occasionally he would cover his face with the mask so he could breath, regardless he did not stop smiling.

I had been talking about some of my problems to the people I did know. During a break in my conversation Eric and I began to talk he had obviously heard some of what I had been saying. Without a question or seemingly a thought he began to happily take my mind off my problems. We spoke about our children and many other things. He briefly touched on the reason for his oxygen tank and then moved on to other things. By the time I had to go back to work I was smiling and laughing with him.

During the next few weeks I spoke with Eric and Sara whenever they were around, they quickly began to treat me like a friend. One evening I unexpectedly found myself without a place to sleep. When they found out that I did not have a place to go they sent a message through some other friends that I was welcome to stay at their home with them. I did not go, I had found a place to stay and I did not want to impose on them.

During the last weekend of fest I was sitting out at horse gate when Eric showed up he was beaming ear to ear. He was wearing a brand new kilt and was very excited about it. I pulled out my digital camera and took some shots of him, he was quite a ham and a lot of fun to photograph.

The other day I got a call from a friend of mine who did not know Eric, she asked me if I knew him and my heart sank. I now regret not taking up the offer of a warm dry place to sleep, I may have gotten to know him better if I had.

I mourn the loss of such a potential friend. I will miss his big smile at festival next year.

Eric you will be missed in this life and I will look forward to meeting you on the other side.

Angi McCoy


back