Remembering Eric Today

Remembering Eric today - his smile, his sense of humour, his passion for learning and his kindness...

Please honour his memory today by Paying it Forward....

• Read a story to a child
• Donate blood
• Buy a coffee for the guy behind you in line at Timmy's or Starbucks
• Put a quarter in a meter, any meter, that’s about to expire
• Leave a copy of a really great book you’ve read in a cafe for someone else to enjoy
• Be nice to the customer service people who are trying to help you with your technical problem
• Bring a box of donuts to work or drop them off for your chemo nurses
• Teach a child something you wish you knew at that age
• Smile at someone who’s sad
• Inspire someone to be the best that they can be
• Join the bone marrow registry
• Give someone the benefit of the doubt
• Live for today and inspire someone else to as well....

Try it - I guarantee you'll feel better and somewhere out there....  Eric will be smiling!

Imagine all the people....  Living for today.... 

Remember Me..... and the times we laughed

Remember Me

To the living, I am gone

To the sorrowful, I will never return

To the angry, I was cheated

But, to the happy, I am at peace

And to the faithful, I have never left

I can not speak, but I can listen

I can not be seen, but I can be heard

So as you stand upon the shore
Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me

As you look in awe at a mighty forest

And its grand majesty, remember me

Remember me in your hearts,

In your thoughts, and the memories of the

Times we loved, the times we cried, the

Battle I fought and the times we laughed

For if you always think of me, I will

Have never gone.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Happy Birthday Eric,

Love Mom

Eric's Legacy

These are the words that no one ever wants to write. I write this to remember Eric and share with all of you the gifts that he shared with our world. And as I write, I am aching that he didn’t have a chance to continue to share those gifts.

I like to think that it’s part of Eric’s legacy to inspire others to share some of these gifts and live our lives as he lived his own.

Love and Kindness…
This one is easy if you think about -- find your opportunity to extend an act of kindness or love on behalf of Eric. Take the first step -- Pay It Forward. Eric, I see you nodding.

Courage and Stamina….
Eric would tell you that he wasn’t courageous or brave – and stamina does wear thin. Because he had cancer, he just had to fight it. He would tell you that any of us would do the same….
What Eric showed us though, was how to face that type of adversity while being true to yourself, living your life in spite of chemo and blood transfusions and doctor’s appointments. What we saw as courage, bravery and stamina, Eric took for granted. He expected to stay in university, move into his own apartment, camp, play golf and go to hockey games. And he lived for today – he would want us to do the same. Live your life to the fullest .

Leadership and Hope…
Eric was fun to be around and he was optimistic. A smile and positive approach can’t help but inspire more hope. And he attracted the most wonderful friends - people who will now be lifelong friends because of Eric.

Eric wasn’t afraid to make the kind of tough decisions that none of us should have to make. He was thoughtful, he educated himself and then he trusted in his decision. Think of Eric and be true to yourself and your integrity. Actions speak louder than words.

Best Friends….
Eric, you gave me a very special gift when you introduced me to Morgan. Welcoming Morgan into our family was easy - I think the first time I met her she was sitting on the floor playing with one of the dogs! We’re kindred spirits and Eric, well – you know that Morgan and I need each other -- and you made sure that would happen.

Eric, I miss you more than I could ever imagine and endlessly more than I can ever describe in words. Last week we talked about my Mom – you wanted to know more about her and how it felt to lose her. I didn’t know then that I was introducing you two and that you were helping me to understand. Mom has been gone for over thirty years but in the last 2 weeks she has been closer to me than ever. Now I know why.

Rev Jim told us that we could expect to see you in little things and he’s right. How would a florist in the US or my GIO team know that your favorite houseplant is a Peace Lily? Yesterday the most beautiful Peace Lily with succulent dark green leaves and three white flowers arrived -- Coincidence? Nah.

This morning as I woke up and faced the horrid reality yet again, I wanted to curl up and make it all go away. Then an itsy bitsy spider started to descend from the ceiling fan and he was aiming right for me! That made me jump higher and faster than you can imagine (yes I can hear you laughing!). And I didn’t kill that spider by the way… I gave him a nudge with my book and sent him back to the ceiling fan. I’ll take him outside for you later.

Eric you are my hero. Love you forever. Fly with angels.

Love, Mom
August 11, 2009

Heartbroken

He taught us love and kindness, courage and stamina, leadership and hope. He taught us to laugh and cry and how to be a best friend. Wise beyond his years, we could all try to be just a little bit more like Eric - that would make our world a better place.

This is just so wrong.

Eric you are my hero. Love you forever. Fly with angels.

Eric Thomas MacLeod Brule
January 16, 1987 - August 9, 2009


Arrangements being cared for the the Hulse Playfair and McGarry West Chapel, 150 Woodroffe Ave, Ottawa, ON
Visiting Wednesday August 12/09 from 6pm - 9pm
Funeral in the chapel on Thursday August 13/09 at 11am

Devastating Day

Eric is currently in ICU having a central line inserted and prepping for kidney dialysis. His kidneys shut down (we don't know why) and dialysis is his only option. We are praying that this is still reversible.

I will update when we have more information.

Prayers please.