Missing Eric

8 years ago (I can't believe that it has actually been that long) my dear, sweet friend Eric died suddenly and tragically. I will never forget that day...EVER! I was still in college and I was driving to Durant that morning and I had the sudden urge to call his mom, but I didn't. I went on to SOSU and attended my morning classes, when I checked my phone after class (remember the days before we were constantly in contact with the entire world at all times) I had a significant number of missed calls; my mom, my best friend from high school, people from high school I hadn't spoken to in a while, former teachers from high school, and an ECU friend...but I had NO voice mail and no texts (this was a time when we still used phones to TALK to each other) ... I knew something was up and I was WORRIED. I called my mom first...NO ANSWER. I called Renee next... NO ANSWER. I called Amy... NO ANSWER... I was beyond worried and I had that pit in my stomach that something was really, really wrong. I was finally able to get a hold of Amy and when she answered she said something along the lines of "How are you handling this?" Are you OK?" and I said "What, how am I handling what? WHAT IS WRONG?"...silence......... I don't remember what she said or how she said it, all I remember is she told me that my friend, my dear, sweet, compassionate, loving friend Eric, was dead. The rest of that day and most of the days after are a blur... I think I have blocked them out because they were painful.

Last night, I had the most realistic dream that I have had in a very, very long time (maybe ever) ... I had a dream that I had a picnic with Eric. I don't remember a lot of the details of the dream... I do remember that we just talked and talked and talked and he gave me wonderful advice on everything that I need advice on. When I woke up, I wanted to go back to sleep and see Eric again... In my dream he was happy and at peace and wanted both of those things for me. Even as I sit here writing this, the details of the dream are slipping from me and I want nothing more than to remember them and hold on to them and cherish them (especially hearing his voice and seeing the light in his eyes). I am missing Eric today. I wish you all would have been lucky and blessed enough to know him and I hope I get to visit with him in my dreams, soon!! Love you and miss you, Eric.

~Charity