Happy Birthday Eric!

Eric & his big sister Chestnut Ridge 2009

      Today is my brother's birthday. Eric is the younger of my two brothers. A few months ago Eric was shocked to learn that I have told one story of our brother, Clark, at storytelling events in town, - the infamous family tale about the letter to Spencer Gifts - but not one story about Eric! Well today is day 109 of my memory-a-day blog, and there have been a couple of stories about Eric so far – the icicle story comes to mind, and the first Sears parking lot story. There will be more. Honestly, Eric is every bit as colorful as our brother Clark!

      In honor of Eric's birthday today, I'd like to relate this brief anecdote:

      One time, I was probably high school age, I was complaining about a headache. From the pain, it was most likely a sinus headache.

      Eric said, “Does your face hurt?”

      Impressed with his concern, I thought about the question for a moment and realized that my face did hurt.

      “Why, yes it does!” I answered.

      “I'm not surprised, because - it's killing me!”

      And he had a very good laugh.

      In the many decades since then, we have all gotten a lot of mileage out of that joke. I ask everyone who mentions having a headache if his/her face hurts – Mike does it too! - surprisingly, very few folks take the bait. But we laugh anyway.

      And I don't think that Eric has gotten as much of a laugh out of this quip as he did that day when he pulled it on me!

      Happy Birthday Eric!

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