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