andy collen: 2008 is the year of e

E, chilly but undaunted at the southern end o' the hemisphere.

(Andree here) Andy Collen, of Andy and Amy at Happy Trails Animation, sent this letter along to the family a couple days ago. He says things here that I knew you'd all feel deeply so I asked if I could post. And he said yes.
Merry Christmas, everyone. E would have it no other way but merry.


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Greeting Erik and Family,

I say this because somewhere out there Erik is listening and I wanted to give a 'last of the year' rant.

As the year comes to an end I look back and see loss, and health issues. As Erik used to always say it is a giant hair ball of life that we are trying to untangle... or maybe not. Just sweep the darn thing under the carpet and don't tell anyone. As I sit and try to think about the first time that Amy and I realized something was wrong with Erik, was when he and Nancy took us for a walk out the the fire pit to show us some materials that they had saved and wanted to reuse in a studio. They wanted us both to have these rather large stainless steel barriers. When Erik said that they would like them to be in our studio I could see in his eyes that it was something special that he wanted to live on through others. Amy and I felt very lucky that they were willing to give us or let use take care of something so unique by Erik.

Over the years Erik had told Amy and I about so many of his other friends that he wanted to connect us up with. I am only sorry that we did not have the time to make that happen. I did get a chance to catch up with a few folks at the Erik Rising party. Nancy sure does know how to organize some cool events. You know Nancy, pot luck is always nice too. That last night fire pit at the party was great having all those folks that I heard so much about sitting sharing Erik stories what a send off. I know Erik is not really gone he is just with each one of us now. We all have a piece of Erik in us all. Something I am going to cherish forever.

As I begin to reflect on things to come for Happy Trails... I always felt like we were one of Erik's pet projects... he was always trying to push us along. I see that his influences have brought on some interesting changes for us. It is his questions and discussions about the industry that made us begin to think in new directions and take some risks like he did with so many. It is with those risks that we are headed for some kind of 3 year contract with folks like EMI records, Warner Brothers Music, Disney, Lionsgate Entertainment and many more. Our little day by day survival studio is about to turn the corner and become a cutting edge content provider for some pretty amazing clients. But the one thing I know... is that I need to find my fire pit. Something to keep me tuned back into the smaller things in life... the things that really matter. Erik had a way of Yin and Yang... trying to find balance. It was when he started to include Amy and I into his excuse to get away and sit by his glowing fire-pit cook some meat on a stick... and talk... just like the Native Americans did... and before them the Cavemen. You could see the fire light dance on the rocks... turn your head and look up and witness a sea of stars. Which would then bring us back to... US... a speck on a planet that is a speck in a solar system... that is a speck in the universe.

To me this year is all about Erik... I will Chalk in my history book as 2008 the year of Erik. I am lucky to have been part of his universe and he will forever be part of mine. Rather then feeling sad I am honored and feel privileged to have the experiences that I have.

To Erik I say thanks for all the help big buddy. And to his family I say thanks for including Amy and I. On to a new year which will bring new stories and I hope some great Fire Pit meals.

Andy