My friend Eric...died.
Yep. This is the first human death...that I've ever cared about, in a really personal way.
He was an alcoholic as long as I've known him, the whole 5 years. I met him shortly after Otakon 2002. We were friends & lovers, alternating between the two for awhile before settling on friends. I loved him for a long time, but moved on to other relationships. He was always someone I felt close to...someone I knew was more intelligent than I am. He was an unbelievably witty person...and a complete ass, but that's just one of the many reasons me, and everyone else loved Eric.
I never helped him with his drinking problem. He drank every night heavily and though early in the time I knew him I encouraged him to stop or lighten up, eventually I gave his habit little or no thought. I usually drank with him.
A few weeks ago he was diagnosed with pancreatitis and was put in the hospital. On I guess...the 12th, they said he was getting better. Then on the 14th...he died. He was 25.
This experience is completely surreal. He's going to be cremated...so I won't get to see him one last time, though I suppose I wouldn't want to see his body except for the sense of closure it would give me. I'm going to get to see a lot of people I have not seen for over a year, some much longer. His death will let me get back in touch with people, and that's good.
I'll be going to the memorial service on Saturday, February 24th. It's so...soon, christ.
This is just mind blowing.
~Alik
He was an alcoholic as long as I've known him, the whole 5 years. I met him shortly after Otakon 2002. We were friends & lovers, alternating between the two for awhile before settling on friends. I loved him for a long time, but moved on to other relationships. He was always someone I felt close to...someone I knew was more intelligent than I am. He was an unbelievably witty person...and a complete ass, but that's just one of the many reasons me, and everyone else loved Eric.
I never helped him with his drinking problem. He drank every night heavily and though early in the time I knew him I encouraged him to stop or lighten up, eventually I gave his habit little or no thought. I usually drank with him.
A few weeks ago he was diagnosed with pancreatitis and was put in the hospital. On I guess...the 12th, they said he was getting better. Then on the 14th...he died. He was 25.
This experience is completely surreal. He's going to be cremated...so I won't get to see him one last time, though I suppose I wouldn't want to see his body except for the sense of closure it would give me. I'm going to get to see a lot of people I have not seen for over a year, some much longer. His death will let me get back in touch with people, and that's good.
I'll be going to the memorial service on Saturday, February 24th. It's so...soon, christ.
This is just mind blowing.
~Alik