Stolen from Rachel's blog.
Baby Eric and baby Elsa. MFEO in my opinion.
Heidi and Allie were also cut from the same cloth or something. From the moment they met, they just spoke each other's language. But Heidi also really enjoyed
At the last minute in 2001, Eric decided to come with me to Camp-of-the-Woods. He had a few free months until his active duty kicked in and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I remember being nervous for him, wanting so much for him to think that camp was fun, wanting people to like him and all that. Boy were my fears unfounded. We came early for pre-season that year and within the first day or so found ourselves at lunch sitting across from Camlon--I don't know if they met during a work group or at that meal, but the instant connection was clear. I remember thinking, oh, good, he's found a friend. And, as M.W. Smith would say, "friends are friends forever." That weekend a big group of us went hiking up the local waterfalls and the two of them were racing each other like wild horses. For the rest of the summer, whenever I saw Eric, Camlon was usually nearby. They were instant brothers.That fall, Eric did LIFT and became even closer with Camlon and his future wife Rachel. Years later he stood in their wedding, and last year they named their third son after him (see below).
It deeply blessed me when they stopped here this weekend on their way to San Diego. My grief has been so isolated and lonely, and it was a relief to have some kindred spirits who miss him too. I never knew Rachel well before, but it already feels like we are old friends--in a way, we are--and I wanted her to stay for a month. (come back any time!) Seeing them reminds me that Eric's legacy continues to live on, in all kinds of ways, all over the country. That if Eric is standing in a cloud of witnesses, he smiles when he witnesses them and all of us hanging out together remembering him and anticipating the Eternal Communion of Saints.
Sorry there isn't a picture of us all together here--somehow with the five small children we never fit in the official group photo. You all are the best and we hope you come again!
