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
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