in the woods

(Andree here) Dad's birthday was this past week, and he wanted a little quiet cookout up at Buncombe Hollow.  The weather was kind enough not to rain on us, so we grilled a pile of assorted meat and hung out in the woods.
The standing stones up in the circle have a bit of moss on them now, not much, but enough to make you realize that time has passed and living things grow.  Lyric and Jaeger are very tall these days - well, that's going to continue, of course - and there's a circle of ferns, getting ready to grow lush, surrounding the stones.  We say, "I wish Erik was here."  But stop and look around you at everything he made happen or that you remember, and there he is.

royalty

Andree here. Sean found this...do I spy Miss Julie Von Holt as well? What year is it here, and what's going on?
And that face says it all.
**Edit 8/14/2012 - Look at this email from July that I just found!
Hi, first of all my name is Celeste Aaby (previously Dhanens). Erik and I were friends in high school, I was so sad to hear about his death. I just wanted to give you a little information on the picture that was posted on the website. It is the 1984 prom court. Sadly I don’t remember everyone, but the back row left is Darin Aaby (my brother–in-law), I’m in front of him, then Julie VanHolt and Carla (don’t remember her last name). I was really surprised to see myself on the site. Those were really fun days and Erik was a big part of it.
**
Celeste, thank you so much.  It brings those days back a little bit and that's a huge pleasure.

happy birthday e, from sean

Andree here. It's a new year, a new time for hopes and plans. We look forward to the friends we'll meet and the fresh things we'll see and do. And we look back at the friends we miss, feeling sad and happy, rueing the lost days, but grateful to have the memories. It's those memories that teach us what and how to love, and how to get better at friendship as the days and years go by.

So you know who I'm thinking about today. I know you are too. Memories of E: of generosity, excitement, curiosity, kindness.

But brother Sean will tell you this better than I can. So I turn it over to him. . .

* * *Dear Erik, Well brother, you would have been 46 years old today.Just another age milestone in life..of course, you never cared about that. I hope that this note finds you well on the other side. I am sure that you are looking down on us, wondering what all the fuss is about. Someday, we will all be together. Meantime, I am doing the best I can do to make my mark on this world. Leave some kind of legacy..like you did. Whether I do or not, is not important. What is important is that I live the way you did...with integrity. Thanks for leaving us with that example. I have a very good friend that joined you this week. Please watch out for her, show her the way.Happy birthday, my brother..I miss you. Your Big Brother, Sean

go erik go!

Sean sent this photo, originally from Bruce Beck. Photoshopped, but admit it - you had to think about that for a minute, didn't you?
Remember how fast we all went with Erik behind us? Well, don't slow down now: He still is. These are tough, tough days for most of us lately. We miss Erik, and nothing seems to be going right, and why in hell do we bother to fight the power when we can't even keep the power on?
Hold it.
We do have the power, because we have each other and Erik gave us that.
We do have the power, because when Erik went to the next level he left knowing what it was really all about, and he told us.
We do have the power, and Erik keeps finding ways to remind us that it'll all be good in the end.

We do have the power, because Erik put us all together as the the power for each other. He knew what he was doing, so don't secondguess him now. Let's go!

and lyric is lyrical

(Andree here) Lyric wrote the following poem this past June, and told Mom it was okay to post here. There is a certain sense of peace I gain from it, a thought of Erik watching over the place, as those who have beat us to the beyond are often said to do.
* * *
FOREVER

At night when sleep draws near
I hear many sounds all around

The wind, the rats, and possibly bats
But other than that I hear
My Dad walking through the house,
Almost as silent as a mouse

For when he died here on this day
His ghost would never go away

Lyric Anwyn Purdom, 6/2011

a poem from terry

(Andree here) Hi everyone. Dad wrote this poem just recently for Erik and wants to share it with you all. I guarantee it will make you cry, but don't be afraid of that, because you'll also feel hopeful and happy at the same time.
* * *
OUT PAST THE SUN

Where have you gone my blue eyed son
Well dad I’ve gone off to have me some fun
Gone off to heaven so far away
Don’t worry dear father I’ll see you some day

So where have you gone to my blue eyed son
Well mom I’ve gone off to have me some fun
Gone to see ancestors far far away
But don’t worry mother I’ll see you some day

And where have you gone our blue eyed one
Well my dear family gone off to have fun
Gone to the planets so far far away
But don’t worry my sweethearts I’ll see you some day

But where have you gone our blue eyed one
Brothers and sisters I’m off to have fun
Off to the galaxies far and away
But don’t you all worry I’ll see you some day

So where are you taking us blue eyed son
Well mom and dad way out past the sun
Were going to places far far away
To show you the wonders I’ve seen every day

I’m so glad you’re with me now out here today

the emperor jaeger

Jaeger recently got the lead role in the school play of "The Emperor's New Clothes."

I mean, who does THAT look like, am I right?

Yeah. I'm right.

Kind of uncanny. And wonderful.

another spring

Andree here. Hi, friends. I haven't anything really unusual or fresh to add as I look out into a soggy spring up here in the NW. I had been thinking lately about how subjective time can be: I still think "I have got to tell Erik this," and then have to catch myself. If I'm alone I usually follow up out loud with "Erik! Did you see that?" I don't do it a lot but I do. PS to spammers: Cut it out. Just stop it. You're not even amusing by now.

photos from november buncombe

Thank Brynn for these. . . and enjoy.

november

This weekend the fam and whomever could make it (I could not) went up to Buncombe Hollow to dedicate the stones set there. Erik had planned this a long time ago, and now it exists for real. Perhaps photos will be forthcoming.

It feels good to think of that project completed and ready to share.