For my brother-in-laws services the Pastor asked us all to write about Eric; the below is what our oldest, Rodney Reed wrote. It is hard to talk about my Uncle Eric in any light other than the positive. As a young boy my Uncle was always someone who was a little bit different than what we were used to experiencing. At this point in his life he was very active in his wheel chair. I remember every time we would go to El Paso for the summer, my grandparents would take us over to his apartment. To paint the picture of where he lives you have to think of an apartment complex here in Houston that you don’t mind going to during the day, but would ensure that you were clear of there by nightfall. But the people there knew Eric, understood his situation, and ensured that no one and I mean no one messed with him, his property, or any of his guests. As a young boy when my brother and I would cry and moan about how hard we had it, Dad would always remind us of Uncle Eric and we would quickly shut up. We would sit out on the patio and talk about things he was doing in government to advocate for the disabled and ensure that their voice was heard. That was always something that I admired in him, regardless of his disposition in life he always fought for those whose voices were weakest. It is hard to think that a man in his position would NEVER think of what he was going through and remain focused on others. I remember going to El Ranch Escondido out off of Montana, which was my first experience of having to feed my Uncle Eric at that restaurant. I know that sounds pointless, but as a young teenager I was learning how to overcome my own coolness. But Eric always made us feel special, I remember we could sit there and talk for hours about nothing in particular, just so pleased to be in his company and watch his face light up as we talked. I’ll never forget, every time I saw him or talked to him on the phone he would always call me “Rockin Rod.” Those are the little things that I am going to miss. As I began to grow up, it was always amazing to watch how closely Eric followed our lives. It was always crazy to talk to him or see him and realize what an effort he made to be in the know about what we were doing. I remember after I graduated from A&M and we were out there in El Paso and I told Eric about me joining the military. There was a little “leftist” hesitation in his voice, but a level of proudness that could not be measured. He and I would talk as I was doing my military thing, always talking about what he had seen on the military channel or what about this or what about that. It was crazy. After coming back from Afghanistan and going to El Paso I remember him wanting me to sign a red star flag, when I did that you would have thought that he was the proudest father watching his son. And maybe that’s what we were to him, we weren’t his nephews, we were his kids. I remember a story that Eric had told us about being able to get into a convertible with his friend Alan and cruise around town, he was so elated. “Man Rod, you wouldn’t believe how much this town has changed.” Now he would ride around town, but because of his van he could only see the road. So this was an event I know that Eric cherished all the way to the end. I could keep on going with story after story about life around Eric, but I think you get the jest. What I want to do is tell you who I think Eric was and what he did for me. Eric Reed was a man who was headed down a bad path. In an act of God’s will, the use of his body was taken from him. Thought to not last the night, then the day, then the week; he defied all expectations. I believe that God’s intent for him was to showcase the strongest muscles in his body, his brain and his heart. Eric lived a life that most will only see a fraction of, but everyone he touched has his life imprinted on their hearts. Always cheerful, even in times of immense pain, Eric always welcomed you into his home and into his life. He never shied away from his disability, but within minutes of being around him you no longer saw his body. You were infatuated by his love of life, love of family, and love of Christ. Even in the last few months of his life, his thoughts were optimistic. Him and I had two very long conversations of me trying to talk him into letting us come out to El Paso so that he could be present when Helen and I got married. But he was adamant that he did not want us to come out there, that he was recovering and would come out to Crosby and we could all celebrate. I conceded that I was not going to change his mind. I seem to believe now that he knew he was coming close to finishing his race and that in the event it was over before then he would have inconvenienced us. That is a running line in Eric’s life of always putting others first. Well Uncle Eric, your race is complete and you have fought the good fight. The lives that you have touched will be forever in your debt. You taught me that I should always look out for the little guy and in your words “compared to you Rod, everyone is the little guy.” No Eric, everyone was the little guy to you because you stood above us all and provide an example of a life to lead. You taught me that it was important to fight for the things you believe in. You taught me that serving our country was one of the greatest honors a man can give. I will miss our conversations, I will miss you calling me “Rockin Rod”, and more than all I will miss your voice. I know the day that you died we went against one of the principles in life that you taught us which was never to be selfish. Well today as I sit here and write this, much like the day you died; my heart aches selfishly missing you. But I know the 33 years of pain are past you, you no longer have to sit in a place alone. You now rest among other angels that we do dearly miss: Uncle Milo and your pop. I know that you will continue to look down on us. I’m so happy that you will get to go to my wedding now, I hope I make you proud in the woman I have chosen to live my life with. I can’t wait to sit around with my kids and tell them about my crazy Uncle. But I know you will be there. I thank you so much Eric for what you have done for us and what you have done for me. I only wish that I had one more phone call, one more text message, or one more day with you. But I think that is what we all want when someone close to us leaves. Yet we are reminded as Christians, that are loved one never leaves and that are tears of sorrow should be tears of joy. We are never saying goodbye, we are only saying see you later. wRodney Reed
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:16:38 +0000