Sometimes it takes something to rock your world to put life into perspective. Last Friday one of our best friends, Eric Johnson, was killed in a plane crash along with 2 other great men. I've been thinking a lot about the kind of life that Eric lead and the amazing man that he was. Our hearts are breaking for his family. Things like this make you realize how short life is. I want to be better! I don't want to ever take things for granted, I want to be a better wife and mother, I want to make sure that those around me know how much I love them everyday. I'm especially thankful for the knowledge that I have that we will see Eric again, I can't imagine how much harder things like this would be if I didn't know that. Bryan wrote up the following memories of Eric, and Clayton (Eric's little brother) shared them at the funeral:
The following story is true. This is the story of the greatest lug nut caper of all time, perpetrated by a group of young boys that were considered by all who knew them as good law abiding citizens, little did they know the true nature of these rascals.It was a calm clear night, no it was raining? Wait---Now I remember, it was clear but it had the smell of rain in the air. A group of semi-intelligent boys with no real concept of the cost of possible damage set out to find their target. After driving around for what seemed like hours, in reality it was probably 10 or 15 minutes, we could not find the intended target so we went to the pottery shop parking lot to hang out. Mr. Reynolds house was only a block away, so he became the new target. We took a lug wrench from the trunk and set out to take the lug nuts off of all four wheels. Courtney and Kevin hid behind a tree across the street and Eric took the lug nuts off of one wheel. At 1 or 2 in the morning the squeak of the lugs coming off was louder than we expected so we left after only one wheel was completed.The result was still effective and the following morning Reynolds drove off for work but only got a few feet before he got the surprise of his life. A few years later Reynolds told me about the moment the truck hit the ground and how perplexed he was by the whole situation.Anyway we all arrived at school that morning and heard an announcement made by the principal that a reward would be offered with info. about the incident. A few weeks later someone got a nice little reward but only turned in Courtney and Kevin. My dad (the chief of police) called them into the office and after a little interrogation Eric and I were named. A few minutes later I was called to the principals office where I was severely beaten within an inch of my life.
Most of my memories of Eric end by saying something like "man we were so lucky not to have been hurt or worse by that." Like the time we made a pipe bomb and we packed the black powder into the pipe with a screwdriver, or the time when Eric drove off the road in the snowstorm and his jeep ended up in between trees at the bottom of a hill having only missed the trees by inches. The jeep should have flipped over but somehow it stayed upright.
Eric also let me tag along with him and his dad when they went trapping. I'm sure my trap never actually caught an animal but they would say "that one over there with the fox in it is yours, go get it". They also took me hunting with their group many times.
He was also becoming a good golfer and most of my recent memories of him are rounds of golf we played together, or games of hold em poker that we got together for.
Ryan, Bryan, Damon, and David 8-12-08
The following story is true. This is the story of the greatest lug nut caper of all time, perpetrated by a group of young boys that were considered by all who knew them as good law abiding citizens, little did they know the true nature of these rascals.It was a calm clear night, no it was raining? Wait---Now I remember, it was clear but it had the smell of rain in the air. A group of semi-intelligent boys with no real concept of the cost of possible damage set out to find their target. After driving around for what seemed like hours, in reality it was probably 10 or 15 minutes, we could not find the intended target so we went to the pottery shop parking lot to hang out. Mr. Reynolds house was only a block away, so he became the new target. We took a lug wrench from the trunk and set out to take the lug nuts off of all four wheels. Courtney and Kevin hid behind a tree across the street and Eric took the lug nuts off of one wheel. At 1 or 2 in the morning the squeak of the lugs coming off was louder than we expected so we left after only one wheel was completed.The result was still effective and the following morning Reynolds drove off for work but only got a few feet before he got the surprise of his life. A few years later Reynolds told me about the moment the truck hit the ground and how perplexed he was by the whole situation.Anyway we all arrived at school that morning and heard an announcement made by the principal that a reward would be offered with info. about the incident. A few weeks later someone got a nice little reward but only turned in Courtney and Kevin. My dad (the chief of police) called them into the office and after a little interrogation Eric and I were named. A few minutes later I was called to the principals office where I was severely beaten within an inch of my life.
Most of my memories of Eric end by saying something like "man we were so lucky not to have been hurt or worse by that." Like the time we made a pipe bomb and we packed the black powder into the pipe with a screwdriver, or the time when Eric drove off the road in the snowstorm and his jeep ended up in between trees at the bottom of a hill having only missed the trees by inches. The jeep should have flipped over but somehow it stayed upright.
Eric also let me tag along with him and his dad when they went trapping. I'm sure my trap never actually caught an animal but they would say "that one over there with the fox in it is yours, go get it". They also took me hunting with their group many times.
He was also becoming a good golfer and most of my recent memories of him are rounds of golf we played together, or games of hold em poker that we got together for.
Ryan, Bryan, Damon, and David 8-12-08
16 comments:
I am so sorry to hear about your best friend Eric. We are so blessed to have the knowledge of the gospel and know that we will see each other again. It does put our lives into perspective.
Thank you for the post.
I feel the same way you do. I don't want to take anything for granted. I loved reading about the memories Bryan had of him. Crazy Blanding boys!
I still can't believe it's real! I was thinking the same thing the other day about my life. Not only do I worry about leaving my kids without a mother, but what if something happened to Chris. How would it effect all of us. It really gets you thinking about what's important!
So sad. I'm glad you guys made it back alright. We missed you on Tues. but we'll do it again for sure.
I was talking with my brother yesterday about these men. He reminded me that him and Eric went on alot of baseball camps together. I remember having Eric in our car as we went to Provo many times. I thought I was pretty cool to have him in our car. There was this one incident (kinda crazy) I remember but it is not my story to tell so I will leave it at that.
I remember when those boys took the lugnuts off I thought it was so cool.
When I was talking to my brother we both (everyone who knew these men) will be affected in some way for a very long time. My brother said I just can't stop thinking about his kids and what do you tell them why their daddy isn't coming home, we have cryed and cryed thingking about that.
Hopeful we can all learn something from this. Hope all of these men's families will find peace.
What a touching post. It was so fun to read the memories and experiences they had had together. You could tell how great of friends they were because of the stories. It is so sad to loose someone close to you, but that sadness is swallowed up in the knowledge that you will see them again. What a blessing to know that. I am so sorry for your loss. Much love.
What a sad shock this was. It seriously plays on one of my biggest fears and I've been trying not to think about it. Your post was so touching though, thanks - and I'm so sorry for both your and Bryan's loss.
I am so sorry to hear this! Things like this really put things into perspective for us. I am so sorry for what you are going through.
Thanks for sharing Eric's story with us- and risking with the lug nut story- Bryan's awesome!
Look how much love and good your blog has created today:)
We'll pray for you and Eric's family. Love, Jess
When tragedy strikes, it definitely makes you check yourself and it changes you forever. I am so sorry for your loss, and you are all in our prayers.
So sorry to hear about this. These are great memories and great thoughts that really make you think about life.
I do love the lug nut story, it's one Jer tells proudly about his courages friends! All the Blanding boys seem to offer entertaining stories, Im sorry for everyone's loss.
Autumn and Bryan, this post gave me a huge lump in my throat. My heart goes to their families. I think about Sean not coming home sometimes and it's a little to much to think about. Life is so very short and I think what you've realized is so true. I'm going to try harder too. Thanks for your post.
Amen to your thoughts! I loved that they have so many great memories...I think that is the best way to remember him so you look forward to seeing him again. I would be so lost without the gospel!
I am so sad to hear about your friend. Life is so fragile. Here is a great blog you should read:
adailyscoop.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! They were very great to hear again!! LOL and I am also so grateful for our blessing of the after life!!
Post a Comment