There are no words to describe this sadness, so I'm going to concentrate on a few of the memories I will hold closest to my heart.
My earliest memories are flooded with Eric's bright smile and loud outbursts. Back then we covered our ears and I'm so thankful he was too loud drown out. I can still hear him yelling "dookie" and "pookins" as if it was 1992 again. Echoing across Brookshire. He had to be only 5 years old when he decided he could give my dad a piggyback ride... and he did! Boxing matches with stuffed animal puppets. The nights watching him play football under the lights. He was a stellar athlete and teammate. That time his punishment was digging a trench at my parents house.... he did his work and when he was done, he did laps in the pool with me so I wasn't swimming alone. It always turned into us trying to drown each other. I will always miss being a kid with him. His excitement for my first born at the baby shower the Rosales clan planned and spoiled me with. How proud he was that I married Randy and that my daughter and I finally shared the same last name. He was so proud of my talent to crochet eventhough his talents far exceeded mine. So humble. My favorite memory is from the last time I saw him and got to squeeze him. He was surrounded (and I mean SURROUNDED.) by so much family and love. I sat back and watched him sugar up all the littles, my boy ate all but 3 of his Starburst before I realized what happened.
I know I will sing so much louder, play that much longer and love even harder because of him.
I love you Eric.