e and crystal

(Andree here) Look at this great photo! The pretty young lady here is Crystal Jiang, one of the folks with whom Erik worked in China. He was very fond of Crystal and had great respect for her as a team partner and a person. I should have posted this weeks ago (sorry, Crystal!).

sean got this one

(Andree here) Brother Sean sent this to me a couple weeks ago. He didn't say who sent it, but it's from Battle Ground High School graduation night, 1984. I do believe that's our S. Sowards as the second gentleman in the picture, but the young ladies I can't identify. Anyone?

25 years ago.

And again I ask myself - forever, or yesterday?

and a few more from art

words from pelsue

(Andree here) I'm a little behind on the posting. But I have some great words from Dave Pelsue that I got permission to share. He'd sent them along for the 14th, but they are great for every day. They will mean as much to you as they did to me. Here. . .

* * *

Greetings everyone,

Regretfully I can't attend tomorrow's first E day with everyone but I look forward that more will follow that I can better plan for. Thanks so much Nancy for the coin Art had crafted and the pictures included in this email. As sad as his passing still is to me,... I know Erik's got that grin streaching from ear to ear right now with one raised brow as he ponders his next project step... that brings me peace...

Reflecting on the many..many positive moments, his insight, and humerous quips of wisdom far beyond his earthly years will warm my heart tomorrow as they do most any day... Just as imagining the gathering of you all together doing the same...

Erik taught this old dog some new tricks and reminded me often that there's nothing wrong with being a kid,...no matter how old we get... Keep smiling E!!!

Love..

Blister-Gel-Coat....

some photos from art

(Andree here) Aren't these great!?

Doesn't Art deserve a big hug for passing these along?

Yes. Yes, he does. And then he needs to get some more, because this isn't all he sent. Stay tuned.

memories from lesa

Nancy,
Sure wish I could camp in your yard under the stars tmr in a tent near yours but, how about this instead.
Tmr night me & my family will go out & gaze at the stars & send you & your family Love.
We'll be with you in thinking of E.

A few of my many fond memories of E.

1 SAMP- SON, SAMpSON, SAMPSON...
Erik used to have fun saying my maiden name.
He called me by my last name, SAMPSON. Bellowed it, Strongly. Like a coach would call out to a player.
When he learned I was engaged the first thing he wanted to know was what my new name would be. I'll never forget his reaction...
The Furrow of his brows, squinted eye, contemplation, & probably silently repeated it to himself then thoughtfully said- Humm.
Think I'll still call ya SAMPSON. OK?

DeGagne, as lovely of a name as it is- just didn't have that same...UMPH, SAMPSON did. Not Initially.
(Oh common- say each name & you'll see how they roll off the tongue differently.)

So. I stayed SAMPSON a while, then became Lesa & eventually E got used to DeGagne. Name Grew on him! (He also practiced it.)
Esp. once he got to know Mr. DeGagne, Joel. The last name Became again, more endearing.
Erik liked Joel. I Knew he would. Also believed Erik & Joel would mutually enjoy each others creative minds.
They made a brilliant contrast... Erik's been a massive positive influence on Joel. He'll forever be great full and will miss him...


2 EARLY DAYS THEN DADDY TO BE!
My early encounters with Erik was when he & Ron worked out of Erik & Nancy's house. In Northridge. I lived near by & worked at the house next door. For Nancy.
He Designed shoes & dabbled in many projects. Made beautiful furniture, shoes, you name it, he could create it.
(E even entertained starting a co. called "Farmiture". Many grand ideas like this that he & Nancy kept on back burner.
I digress...)

My earliest stage of getting to Know E inv. Nancy's pregnancy with Lyric. My presence grew stronger around the houses &
He & I collaborated together to have a co wide promowerks business mtg dual serve as a baby shower for his beloved "Nancy Pants."
(Erik & his names!)


E LOVED becoming a dad. He'd talk about their birthing plans & share glimpses on how their parenting would be.
Once Lyric arrived- Oh the Joy that filled his heart with Pride!

Having Lyric around the work places was a welcomed treat for all.
E worked & played just as hard as ever (Nancy too!) while embracing all the new dad duties.
Usually involving sleep deprivation. Sigh. I recall E's 20 min power naps.

His energy was amazing. Just Natural. Erik is just JOY full...

3 WACKY TOYS: WORK HARD/PLAY HARD
He would get the wackiest 'toys' to play with!!! Wheels & speed was a theme?
Played as hard as he worked.

He once ordered a 'bicycle' that was enclosed in a Huge Hamster-like ball. Wish I had a picture! What was this called?
Watching him & the other 'big kids' try to maneuver it was entertaining. Borderline scary.
This one I didn't try. My loss I know...

I did enjoy the mini bikes he got for us staff' to ride around the properties on. Inside the houses & out;-)
16 in. wheelers that could hold up to 300 lb. Or something like that. They were Fun!...


4 STORIES ABOUT HIS LOVED ONES (or any of the many E Stories I've enjoyed!)
Though Erik often missed WA while he lived in CA, he created a new extended family unit in CA. One he immensely valued.
A tight group he clearly cherished.
Still- E Reminisced about his families in WA & childhood pals. He often talked about. When he did, it was as if he gained newfound sense of pride. Through his stories his eyes would gleam, he'd laugh & enjoy fond pass times as if he was reliving them.
He sure had a way of bringing the stories to life... When I met many of these characters as he'd lovingly cal them, I felt like I knew them already through his tales...

E used his stories to Unit people too...

Fitting to be sharing stories about him at this time... One more!

5. APPLE STRUDEL Anyone?
The one & only time I spent any time in Texas besides at the airport was with Erik. We went on 'shoe business'.
A memorable journey.
On this journey I learned he had a major thing for Apple Strudel!
He sought it out throughout the trip. Even at the airport. Where by his luck an to my relief -it was available;-)
As tasty as Apple Strudel Is, I believe he enjoyed Saying It & asking for it as much & maybe even more than eating it!
"Oh, COME-ON LE-SaH, Don't Yah Want Some APP-PULL-- STREW- DULL?
Another thing he won me over on. Today the Apple Strudel is on my top 5 favorites.
Tomorrow I am going to get me & my family some!

Bon Appetite E:-0...

LOVE,
Lesa DeGagne aka SAMPSON

we think e stopped by

We were at Buncombe Hollow (E and Nancy's property way up in Clark County) the night of the 14th, thinking of Erik, and thinking of all of you who could not join us. And then look what Nancy spotted in the fire!

In a day or two I will be posting some great images that Art sent.

one year

Facebook is the new Blogger, I think.
It's there that I read Ron Maatita describing himself as "somber, poolside in the glow of torches. Strumming to the memory of a good friend."
My brother Sean asks us all, in Erik's name, is your life in balance?
Don't feel bad if yours isn't. The journey is more than half the accomplishment, I always heard.

But perhaps I'm not the one who should comment. I'm still trying to figure out how a year could be eternity and nothing at the same time; and how to turn back time; and how to answer things that have no answer at all.

Some of you who were present at Erik Rising heard me say that every morning I search my soul for any doubt that Erik is in heaven or whatever you're comfortable to name it, and that every morning I find no shred of doubt, not one.
I still search every morning. I still find no shred of doubt.

I know that Erik is free. And if some things I've heard are any indication, he's already busy.

pix from chile - had you seen these?

nancy wants to share this beautiful painting with you

(Andree blogging: words are Nancy's.)

Erik's farewell message
On the morning of Aug. 14th at 7:22am Erik felt his time here was complete and his spirit was released. Immediately I (Nancy) felt as if I was being directed to go outside. As I walked through the grass an energy more powerful than I can describe traveled through my body leaving me cleansed and revitalized. I had an overwhelming sensation that Erik was now everywhere in everything all at the same time. I feel this was his message to me, letting me know he made it to his destination. Erik has shown me that he is now become one with all that is, sharing an indescribable amount of energy that radiates infinitely into all us, his energy always being here guiding and teaching us along our way. At the moment Erik left us, a little smile came across his face; he was now onto his next journey.

The E “Energy”
Over the next few months I continued to experience Erik’s energy in things that I saw and the way that I felt. During a discussion with a friend, I learned of an acquaintance of Erik’s, a landscape painter. While on his website I discovered “The Gateway” the energy of this painting touched me in a special way, I was disappointed to find out the painting had sold. As a result of this experience a new painting was commissioned and created in remembrance of Erik. Below were my thoughts to help in the creation of the new painting.

What I liked about – “The Gateway”
The sky reminds me of Erik's energy more powerful than you can imagine infinitely radiating off in all directions. The trees remind me of myself and the kids, still growing and tightly fastened to the ground not yet ready to let go. The water reflects Erik's spiritual journey and strength that provided him a path to follow.

My thoughts for the new painting
· A sky full of energy infinitely radiating off in all directions
· The time of year is fall
· Deciduous trees with beautiful leaves, some fallen and some still on the trees, the trees are changing, preparing for winter and growth in the spring just like the children and I changing and growing.
· The trees together in a grove but separated into three bunches symbolizing the children and I, all of us together but each very unique
· Erik was drawn towards water; it gave him energy, happiness and a spiritual sense of well being. He expressed to his friends and family the importance of being able to drink a simple glass of water, which he was unable to do. During the last two months that Erik was with us he dreamed, discussed and immersed him self in water. The day that we came home from the hospital, Aug. 13th in the midst of all the pain and trying to get comfortable, Erik looked at me with a smile on his face and energy in his eyes and all he wanted to do was sit in a simple tub of water. Erik used water as energy to make his spiritual journey. To be without water is to be without life.

What I wanted to achieve
· The sense of an indescribable amount of energy radiating out infinitely upon all of us (sky)
· A remembrance Erik's journey that he had experienced and shared with all of us (water)
· A new journey for the kids and I full of change and growth fueled by the energy in the sky (trees)
· A piece of art that encompasses both past and present

“Glowing Valley” in remembrance of Erik and his amazing energy
Ralston Fox Smith writes “This painting was a wonderful piece to work on as it encompasses the full spectrum of life and beyond. Thank you for trusting me and my style to create both a memory of Erik, but also the character and strength of your family. Such a difficult time for you all, I hope the “place” affords you some comfort as you journey onwards. Many visitors to my studio have fallen in love with your piece and we are all excited for it to grace its intended home”
Now gracefully hanging on the wall of the dining room, Erik’s energy is shared with all of you who visit. A place of past and future celebrations where friends and family are encouraged to share and experience the strength of the Purdom family.

a big shiny e!

Courtesy of Matt, Sean & Gina's son-in-law. He just went off and made it and gave it to Sean - how about that! Matt is a great guy.

kiddie e's

(Andree here) Nancy sent these along. The kids did them with tile bits that had blown about in the recent storms; Lyric painted them bright colors, and then Jaeger (top) did the full radiant E, and then Lyric (bottom) did a Robert-Smithson-"Spiral Jetty" interpretation. Aren't they lovely?

the early eighties

(Andree here) Dean found these, remember I promised them to you?

I don't know what the circumstances are behind all these Battle Ground High School photos - except for the bottom one, which was the school production of, uh, Merchant of Venice I think - in any case Erik's holding our dog Sed, who had a bit part in the play. (Dean? Help me out with details?)

eat toast

(Andree here) More vintage gold coming from Dean shortly - but let's start with this, also from Dean.

Dean here... Recently got a note from an old school chum, Tim Kohler. We made contact through the new and silly Facebook website, which is actually pretty damn cool when it comes to finding lost contacts and friends. Tim has his own personal fat slice of hell he's chewing his way through these days, with a kid with leukemia. (Andree here: Tim, I hope you'll forgive my leaving that in, but I want to give everyone an opportunity to send their thoughts and support to you too.) He had this to say:

I saw your message about Erik and his site. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
One remembrance I have is that he had written "Eat Toast" on the wall in the
light booth of Stage III. I thought this was funny and adopted it in to my
vocabulary for a while. When I went off to photo school, I ordered a rubber
stamp to mark my slides with my name and copyright. I also ordered one that said
'Eat Toast'. I probably still have it. I don't have a pic of the wall, but
I took one of the stamp...
Tim

puppies are good

(Andree here) Sean wanted to share his nice little Pocket Beagle puppies, which he adopted after falling in love with Erik's Cub. (As we all did.) Please to meet Mr. Dexter Johnson (up top in the sports jersey) and Ms. Winnie, named after the dearly loved and departed Mr. Winston.

"They are the best," Sean writes. "They help remind me of Erik."

and some more photos from before christmas

(Andree here) Yes, I know. But enjoy, won't you?

catching up on some photos from christmas

(Andree here) Yes, it's been a while since Christmas but I wanted to give you a few photos from the tree trimming gathering for Nancy and the kids. Thanks immensely to Andy and Amy Collen for taking so many lovely photos.

maatitatattoo

(Andree here) I heard from our Ron Maatita last night - he sent this pic in to the email, along with this fine message (I'm assuming permission, Ron):

* * *

Hey Andree,
I hope this email finds you well. I just needed to share my inky tribute to the man. I did it a week or so ago. It will serve as a constant reminder of what Erik has done for me and what he means to my life. It lives on my right arm (70mm x 70mm) and is in full view while I execute and question any design work I undertake. It rests against my guitar as it resonates against me is a reminder that I played for him when he needed me to. It will be there if I'm fortunate to reach old age and will ensure that I never forget him.

This pic was taken an hour after getting it done, so it's a little red. The whole process was an emotional one for me. My artist was very sensitive to its meaning and treated Bob's graphic design with the utmost of reverence.

I'm happy to be a brother in ink!

e tat fest

(Andree here)

New Year's Day saw a passel o'pals meet up at Painless Ric's in Camas to get E tats en masse. Dad's (Terry) is up above. What a nice looking bat.

"The Counselor," Steve, shows E as a compass (see below).

Above, brother Sean, and below, his First Peoples-inspired bat tat.

Above, our own dear Mike McG put the E seal on one of his not-inconsiderable forearms, below.

And here's Dean getting one on his foot. Did that hurt? Dude.

It looks like it hurt.

Nice though.

Sister Brynn checkin' hers out, adorable as always.
(Below) See it?

(Below) Adam shows the good words that kept E going through everything.

Here he is getting them in a prime spot for handy reference.

Does this give you ideas? Go thou and do likewise - if you do, send me the photo and let's share.