Eric, without meaning to, had a big impact in my life. In fifth grade -- a new school for newly moved me, Lutz Elementary -- I was in Eric's class. He was inscrutable to me: quiet, proud, defensive, so often with a grim expression. One day our teacher (Mrs. Haylock, I think?), told us she wanted to talk about Eric. There was a buzz in the room -- "oh God, not that guy!" Then she told us Eric had a congenital heart defect, that he'd had operations on his heart and that he couldn't do a lot of things, that it could be dangerous for him. I think it was the first time in my life I realized we, these effortlessly lively boys and girls, were mortal. Lots of people picked on Eric. I never did. I remember a couple of times trying to greet and talk with him, but he was too defensive. I tried always to be pleasant to him. In his way, Eric taught me something about compassion. I know his life was a short one. I hope he found some happiness along the way.
Ted Hoffman
Eric, without meaning to, had a big impact in my life. In fifth grade -- a new school for newly moved me, Lutz Elementary -- I was in Eric's class. He was inscrutable to me: quiet, proud, defensive, so often with a grim expression. One day our teacher (Mrs. Haylock, I think?), told us she wanted to talk about Eric. There was a buzz in the room -- "oh God, not that guy!" Then she told us Eric had a congenital heart defect, that he'd had operations on his heart and that he couldn't do a lot of things, that it could be dangerous for him. I think it was the first time in my life I realized we, these effortlessly lively boys and girls, were mortal. Lots of people picked on Eric. I never did. I remember a couple of times trying to greet and talk with him, but he was too defensive. I tried always to be pleasant to him. In his way, Eric taught me something about compassion. I know his life was a short one. I hope he found some happiness along the way.