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I recently changed my template to something a little more Christmas-oriented, but I don't quite feel the holiday spirit right now. While talking to my mom, I was told something that definitely puts a damper on the season. I think that Rachel will be the only person that knows who I am talking about, but I want to talk about it just the same.
Eric Gamble graduated from St. Luke School a few years behind me. Despite our small school, I didn't know about Eric until I was already in high school. When he was in sixth or seventh grade, Eric was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. While undergoing treatment for his disease, the Lakewood Sun Post wrote an article about him. All of Eric's friends from school shaved their heads so that he would not look out of place, an act that is selfless in and of itself but made more poignant in the fact that these were such young people. After reading the article, I noticed that there were young men at church with shaved heads - obvious friends of Eric's. After that, Eric's name stayed on the prayer list at church. Every week, his name was read off as one of the sick members of the church. I admit that I had forgotten about the sick boy from St.Luke school, so I assumed that Eric Gamble was an older member of the parish. It wasn't until my mom told me about the dinner she had with Rachel's parents that I remembered the young man with the horrible disease. As Eric was in his sophomore at St. Ed's, Mr. F knew of him and the situation. He told my mom about it and the next time she talked to me, she gave me an update. When we dropped Rachel off at home for Thanksgiving, my mom asked Mr. F if there was any improvement in Eric's condition. Mr. F told my mom that the teachers at St. Ed's were not thinking about if Eric would die, but when the inevitable would occur. Mr. F said that the most heart-breaking part of it all was the optimism and hope that all the boys had for Eric's return to school. Despite his continually weakening state and his continuous weight loss (it is said that he was down to 70 pounds as a sixteen year old boy), his friends were convinced that he was getting better and would soon come back to school. Eric lost his battle to cancer on Thursday, December 4, 2003. He was only sixteen years old. At sixteen, kids are trying to get their drivers liscence and are dealing with high-school drama. They should not have to think about whether or not they will live another day. Even as I write this, I can't put into words how incomprehensible it would be to have to think about it and how different Eric's life must have been because of it. Christmas is supposed to be a time for families to come together to celebrate and be joyous. For Eric's family, Christmas this year will be nothing more than a rememberance of what they have lost. So many people loved Eric, and his life and death has made an impact on so many people. I never knew Eric personally, but his death has touched me in a way I don't really understand. I never actually met the boy, but I did see how those close to him, both friends and school friends, came together to show support and offer strength. I pray that Eric is no longer in pain and that he is well taken care of, wherever he is. I pray for his family, that they cherish the time they had with him and that they can find peace. I pray for all of Eric's friends - I hope that they don't see Eric's death as a betrayal from God and that they keep their faith and optimism. These friends have shown an immense amount of strength in the past few years, and I am sure that Eric knows that. Rest in Peace, Eric Gamble. "Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him." Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees.
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure, Eric Clapton, "Tears in Heaven" prev | next |