Forty

 

Eric turned forty this week!  In order to celebrate, I contacted many of our friends and family members and asked them to contribute a memory from a time in Eric's life.  There were so many good ones; a beautiful collection of heartwarming and hilarious memories that sum up Eric perfectly.  Here they are:

One of my earliest memories of Eric is going to stay with him in Milwaukee after Summerfest.  Lucas and I went and saw my favorite band and then stayed overnight with him and he was so hospitable to us! – Annalyse Danzinger

A great memory is when you and Tiff came to visit us in California.  Going down to San Diego to Stone Brewery was a highlight, with a fun tour and amazing food. Eric has always been exposing me to new beer and cocktails.  I remember he had fancy beer glasses, way before they were common, and I thought they were amazing. That was probably from when we visited you in Long Prairie.  Now I’m excited to see what concoctions he whips up when we get together! – Lucas Danzinger

 I love our Christmas conversations while opening presents…how Eric and Tom compare gifts and which ones are from Steals N Deals. – Sara Ory

 One of my favorite memories is when Eric got my gum stuck on his feet at the Tiki party at Aunt Debbie’s.  – Tom Ory

Ok, Eric, so remember when we were all camping out in Brandon’s parents’ backyard at the cabin? We had all settled down to sleep and suddenly I was very uncomfortable and let loose what I thought would be a decent, understated, and QUIET fart. But it wasn’t. It was ridiculous. And you loudly blamed Peter who immediately threw me under the bus. To which you replied, “Amanda! That shook the earth!”  We occasionally repeat that phrase to this day when we hear a particularly loud noise, then fall into a fit of giggles. Happy Birthday, old man! Welcome to the 40s! – Amanda Carlson

 Eric could never keep his swim trunks up.  He always mooned us when he was little. – Robin and Dave Jelinek

We took a trip to the Alpine Resort in Door County.  Eric and some friends were playing jazz at the Alpine, but Eric forgot his saxophone and had to use an old one they had.  We remember some drama as it was realized we were all there to watch and he did not bring his instrument.  There may have been some other drama, as well. 😉 – Robin and Dave Jelinek

 The time Eric left Tiff and I watching a movie (probably Harry Potter or Disney) to go get Tiff chocolate, but he made a grocery trip out of it and then forgot his wallet and had to come back to get it.  They once he got back to the store and bagged the food, the hot sauce fell through the bag and broke splattering his pants with hot sauce. – Zak Martin

I remember when Chet’s drunk friend burst into your room in the middle of the night and climbed into bed with you and Tiff and scared you both to death. I also woke you guys up once to tell you I went through a drive-thru in a limo. -- Zak Martin

 Eric gets scared very easily.  One time I took the trash out knowing he was going to his car, so I ran to our garage door and scared him.  He legit had his hands thrown up in the air, shaking like a wobbly inflatable man, and screamed like a lady. -- Zak Martin

I loved it when I went to Dad’s work and we talked and worked together.  I liked making funny labels with the label maker and hanging out in his office.  – Nolan Ory

I love it when Daddy pushes me on the swing. – Simon Ory

I loved it when we went to South Dakota and went swimming in the hotel pool together. – Olivia Ory

When you passed out at the doctor’s office at my first prenatal appointment and the next two hours were spent nursing you back to health. – Tiffanie Ory

I just really remember the game, “Who can hit the ball sack,” being played in Grandma’s living room at Christmas Eve.  Eric and Tom would sit at opposite sides of the room and they’ roll a ball across the floor with open legs to see who would take the hit next.  It was morbid and hilarious all at the same time, but it’s a memory that really sticks! – Jamie Pomasl

 I remember him singing (quite badly) some Steely Dan karaoke songs at Schneider’s Bar in Sugar Camp on some fun nights we had when he had just turned 21.  I mean, who chooses Steely Dan for a bar song to get into as a crowd?  Eric. – Jamie Pomasl

When Eric was a toddler, Patters and I were re-staining the siding on the house in Enterprise.  Eric was supposed to be napping in his room.  As we got around to the siding by his bedroom windows (which were open because it was summer), he suddenly started chiming into our conversation!  He would not stop talking! I’m pretty sure that’s the beginning of when we started singing “Sound of Music” (loudly and badly, of course) in order to get him to leave us alone! – Sandy Buss

I remember taking a trip out west when Eric was a toddler.  For some reason it was Mom, Dick, Patters, Eric and myself.  We took Pat and Steve’s conversion van, which was a trip in itself!  Anyway, I had my Sony Walkman along and he was using it to listen to Aretha Franklin’s “Who’s Zooming Who?”  He would hum along and nod his (not so) little head until it got to the chorus and then he would yell out “Zoomin who” when it got to that part.  Those were the only words he sang outloud and he listened to it over and over and over again! – Sandy Buss

One Christmas Eve at Grandma’s house, Eric was on her bed talking into a hairbrush for a microphone, giving us a news cast or weather report…He wouldn’t let anyone else talk.  It was hilarious! – Jackie Pavlow

I remember (vividly) the waxing of Eric’s back: the screams, the laughs, and the blood.  – Brigid Ryan

 Eric is the whole reason I met my husband and have my kids, and the rest of my stories don’t seem terribly appropriate to put on paper. – Abby Mode

A special memory is the look on Eric’s face when he came to the waiting room at the hospital to announce each of the kids’ births.  Humbled, relieved, scared, grateful, proud, and in love, all bundled together. – Marcia Danzinger

Eric never knows what to do with his hands when the camera comes out. – Marcia Danzinger

 Eric went for a swim in the lake at Tom’s house, and a fish mistook his nipples for fish bait. – Marcia Danzinger

When Eric fell on our front steps and cracked his head open, terrifying all of the kids, especially Olivia.  He required a trip to the ER and seven staples. – Marcia Danzinger

 A fond memory about Eric is when he asked to marry my daughter.  A day that changed everyone’s life forever…another song, two grandsons, one granddaughter, Miles, and the many new friends. – Jim Danzinger

Eric’s bachelor party was memorable; golfing, then to Carson Park for a baseball game, only to be topped with our Blue van ride down to Water Street in Eau Claire.  You young guys were very persuasive that night.  – Jim Danzinger

“Robot Snakes.” – Peter Carlson

It’s hard to distill 27 years of friendship into words, but I am thankful that a middle school Magic card rip-off did not lead to animosity but rather a relationship that has stood firm despite being separated by a vast physical distance and ever-changing life circumstances.  Whether it was spending time playing video games in our parent’s basements fueled by pizza and Mountain Dew, diving headfirst off the dock into Crescent Lake for a swim at night, hiking in the Mt Hood Wilderness and Oregon coast, or spending time watching our children play together on a Northwoods summer evening, I can’t help but be grateful for our friendship and optimistic about making future memories, no matter where our lives take us over the next 40 years! – Trevor Moerkerke

We went out on the river with you guys and Eric was gently bringing the boat into dock, and then threw it into reverse at full speed and almost catapulted Andy off the front of the boat!! – Katie Lindner

 Traveling to Sweden with Eric for work and seeing him give an awesome presentation at Rottne. I was so proud of him and how professional he was. – Steve Ory

 One of my favorite memories of Eric is when we were in high school, we’d hang at the Ory’s home and all we would want to do is watch the Dream Theater Live DVD.  If other friends were over, we’d put it on for them and nerd out about how good the solos were.  Not sure how much fun they had, but we sure had a good time.  Love you, buddy. – Ray Mode

I have great memories of playing video games, specifically original Mario and me trying my damndest to beat my little brother…Usually I didn’t win.  There were also long-standing fights for all the sets of Lego wheels.  I never won that battle either. – Stacy Sievert

My memories with Eric growing up include a lot of time spent building Legos and playing cars around a road map rug in the basement rec room at the house on G.  I remember playing in the sandbox and shortly after being called in for lunch, a bear walked through the yard between the house and the sandbox we just vacated.  Also, I remember when we went out West, Dad had us play this game where we had to identify the brand of semi truck that was coming toward us on the highway. (Tons of fun…lol) – Brad Ory

Eric was the best baby.  He was so happy and easy going – an absolute joy.  Eric was very diplomatic.  He would cuddle with both mom and dad before he was tucked in every night.  Eric loved books!  Whenever I would get a little treat for him, it would be a new book.  I remember how proud I felt when Eric was in jazz band and he would stand up to play a solo and he would knock it out of the park.  (Except in Door County…)  Watching Eric become a husband and a father has been more than I could have ever wished for as a mother.  – Patti Ory

I remember fun times in band – playing the castanets in “Carmen.” I remember endless work banter…overhearing lots of laughing and shenanigans over the cubicle walls, whether it was an old bandaid or chewed up gum. Happy Birthday, Eric! – Erin Mathieus

Eric – one of the funniest memories was when we would all take turns taking a bite out of your apple from your desk at Hal Leonard.  I recall this going on for some time, and your reaction always cracked me up.  Also, how much fun the board game weekend was up in Rhinelander with everyone there, hanging out and playing games.  I definitely miss those days!  Happy 40^th Birthday! – Brandon

One memory of Eric that stands out but is fairly boring is probably one of the first times I met him.  Eric, Brandon, and I were hanging outside by Brandon and my apartment on Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee.  Wisconsin Avenue was being completely rebuilt so it was basically dirt and construction equipment.  We were smoking cigars for some reason and just chatting like morons.  It was nice.  I doubt the other two even remember it.  Although Eric and I only see each other once a year at best, I still consider him one of my very best friends.  He’s just someone I’ve always connected with.  I have lots of love for him and you and your family.  I’m gonna go cry now. – Lance Thompson

We recall campfires in our driveway and Super Bowl parties at your apartment. We always laughed so much at your stories!  “Hot Soup” is a phrase we use in our house because of one particular story.  Looing back, laughter was always a big part of our time together.  After your move to Wisconsin we haven’t been able to get together as much, but when we do, we pick things up as if no time has passed.  This is a testament to the genuine spirit of our friendship.  Happy 40^th Birthday! – Justin and Crystal Kennedy

Patti and I took Eric, Tom, Ali, and our foreign exchange student Morty to Florida.  Ali, having no brothers, and Morty, an only child, didn’t quite know what to make of the two bothers.  They kept us all laughing.  I’ll never forget the belly laughing from Morty when they would start their antics!  The first night it was all about the sleeping arrangements; the boys had one room with a queen and a twin bed.  You can just about imagine how it went down.  If I recall, each was supposed to get the twin bed for one night.  I don’t think Morty ever got his turn.  Those two brothers carried on the whole trip and we all had a great time, but at the end of the trip Ali said that she was tired of boys. – Debbie Bruso

Eric, in your forty years, you've brought so many laughs and so much love to those who have been lucky enough to be part of your life.  Thanks for the amazing memories. I can't wait to see what lies ahead! You are very loved! Happy 40th Birthday!