We’ve been blessed to have such wonderful neighbors on our street while Erik and his brother and sisters were growing up. One of the families we’ve been the closest to live right across the street. Although Erik was older than all of them, he was very fond of the now 16 year old twins, Brandon and Brianna, and the youngest son, Cameron. They’ve all enjoyed each other’s adventures and been there for each other during the challenges, drama and heartbreaks. Growing up with neighborhood kids creates a special bond. The bonds are often different from those with siblings, because there’s no need to engage in competition to win the favor of a parent or scramble to secure the highest place in the pecking order. Erik’s bond with those three was solid and true. He respected them, cared for their welfare and loved them like they were a part of his family.

Sadly, Brianna, Brandon, and Cameron were all witnesses to the tragedy as it unfolded October 6, 2009. Like us, they cried tears of sorrow and shook their heads in disbelief. It pained me to see those three join us in our anguish.

Erik hated seeing those he loves in pain, so it didn’t surprise me to hear that he had paid a visit to Brianna, just as he has to some of his other friends. Read her account:

Erik’s Visit

Last weekend…the night before we went to Conroe I wrote on his wall telling him that I was thinking about him and all the fun times we all had in Conroe together. specifically one time when he was swinging me on a hammock. I went to bed that night feeling so thankful that I knew him and every time I closed my eyes I thought of a different time I’d spent with him. I woke up the next day and didn’t even think about the dream but as we were driving to Conroe I just looked up from my book and everything from the dream started replaying.

The dream: First it started off as his visitation or funeral and I walked up to him in his casket. but instead of a casket that he was in, it was a hammock. When I walked up to it I started talking to him and he suddenly opened his eyes wide open and I guess he chuckled because he was trying to spook me ha ha and it worked, I jumped back from him and stared at him amazed and then his soul came out of his body and flew up. Then the dream switched to another scene of all these funny times we had together…especially in Conroe. The dream was so quick and non-stop…it was like he was trying to cram everything he wanted to show me in one dream ha ha. And then it switched to me standing in your front yard and there were pictures of him everywhere on the grass and he was wearing a blue shirt… pictures of him hanging around our families and it’s so hard to remember the end but I’m pretty sure that it was I was looking at one of the pictures and then I looked up and it was a replay of that day when he did it, and I looked up and saw Annika running towards me from your front door and a replay of her and I laying in your yard that day.
 When I was in the car on the way to Conroe, I realized that he had visited me because I felt so happy to see him in my dream because I miss him so much and I’m so happy that he made time to come to me and let me know that he’s okay. ♥

To all of Erik’s friends, I hope he is there for you in your times of need. I hope he visits just to chill. I hope that when he does, you will recognize the experience for what it is rather than analyze the miracle away. When that happens, please share your story with us. These are stories with strong healing powers.

Today is my birthday. This first in 20 years without my Baby Erik.  God how I wished he’d come to me wrapped up in a big beautiful bow. God how I wished he’d pop out of a huge three layer cake. But this is not to be. I must be grateful for the two wonderful decades we celebrated life together. I must be grateful knowing that he will watch over the Vazquez kids, his other friends, and his family throughout the decades to come.