CARDRUNNERS

What's Your Edge

Lee Jones's Poker Blog

January 05, 2009

So on the new year, I wrote about the importance of living in the moment, because you might not get the next one.

I just got home from a dobro lesson and Lisa was in tears. She'd just gotten an email that the guy who built our house, Eric Diener, had died suddenly on December 29th. I don't know the cause, and it's not terribly important. He was in Alabama visiting his in-laws and, well, now he's gone.

Eric was 39 years old, and vibrant in a way that many of us could aspire to. He was passionate about the homes he built, putting attention and care into every detail. On December 24th, he came over to our house - one that he'd built - to look at a recalcitrant furnace. The furnace was not his problem, but it was his house, so the furance became his problem. He sat our breakfast table, had coffee and carrot bread with us, and talked about his trail biking, fishing plans, and new projects he was working on. After looking at the furnace, he was going to go to Lowe's to get a part. I told him it was Christmas Eve, and I could easily enough get the part and replace it - he needed to be home with his wife and friends.

I suppose at some point, I will take a lesson away from this. Right now, I just feel an awful hole in my life. And every time we look at the woodwork, the lighting, the loving detail that went into this house, we'll think of Eric. I hope that in time, this place will be some kind of memorial to his work, his career, and his passion. Today, it's just a stabbing reminder of a friend - and friendship - cut far too short.

Peace, Lee

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Jan 5, 09 12:40:09

sigh

Life is wonderful, and at the same time it really is the bunk. 39 is stupid young to be taken off this planet. My thoughts are you with you all.

-Jeff

jeff218