Hey Er, I finally read this incredible piece...I now feel like I've been to Bodie, which I never knew existed until I read this. Very mysterious and beautiful and also very "The Hills Have Eyes" too. Your description of picking up Keek to look in the higher windows got me...I can picture how she must have loved exploring that town and her unending imagination about what might have gone on there... I am subscribed and looking forward to any and all of your writings. love from brother Mike
Wonderful writing Eric. I love hearing your travel stories past and present. I love hearing Kiki’s name , especially with your or Tina’s voice. I cannot wait to see the new tattoos! And to hug you and Tina. Love you 💕🐓
This post just killed me. I lost my teen-aged son Lucas to suicide four years ago. We have so many memories of traveling with him and places that we wanted to take him. Father’s Day is a tough time for me too. Please take care of yourself.
“Goodbye God, I’m going to Bodie.” I love that you can still hear Kiki’s voice saying the line. Thank you, Eric, for this post. Happy Father’s Day! And from one nomad full-timer to another—haven’t rented a brick and mortar since 2019–looking forward to NO/MADness.
“It was as though little Kiki was around every corner. It may be the closest I’ve felt to her since she died.” - I love this so much! Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment with us!
Also, amazing pictures!! Bodie looks epic and was already on my list of ghost towns to go visit. Thank you for bringing us along. 🩶
Eric - Like other commenters have noted, I think the quote below is such a nice window into how you and Tina approach your grief as parents (you are such positive models for others), and a fun insight into Kiki's personality. Thank you for sharing yourselves and your journey with all of us.
"The other day Tina said, 'Keek would be mortified that Timothée Chalamet is serious about Kylie Jenner.' I had to agree."
Hi Tim, thanks for the kind words. Kiki and I shared a lot of opinions but she knew what does and doesn't fly in today's PC climate and I really miss hearing , "DAD, you can't say that!"
That said when I started talking about my family and you didn’t tell us about Kiki, it’s awkward to ask about your children. Maybe you decided not to have any, maybe you couldn’t? I typically choose not to go there and make someone uncomfortable. Please consider this when you meet new people. We would have loved to hear Kiki stories and share your grief and joys about her life. Just a thought.
Thank you Paula, we love to talk about Kiki but sadly we have found that many people don't know how to react when they learn you are a grieving parent. I have only come out of my shell of isolation in the past year, grief is a long, slow journey.
I can’t even begin to imagine. You created a beautiful life while Kiki was with you. And you are so honoring that life and making space for the rest of us to be more profound and present in our own lives. I thank you for that. I can’t wait to go to Bodie. I’m willing to drive Judy there, I think?!
I have three amazing baby girls that are now 44, 42, and 40. I would have loved to hear more about Kiki. It sounds like the three of you made life memorable!
I can only imagine the reactions you get when you choose to share. Still, I would have loved to have heard your stories. I think your family is amazing. May you be blessed on your journeys and keep sharing!
Fairy dust made me smile, and Kylie Jenner made me laugh. I am grateful to you and Tina for sharing your light with the world and for giving me ever more places to add to my must-visit list. (Montreal, Pie-Town, Bodie,....) Peace & Love to you both xoCJ
Hi Eric, The way you carry Kiki with you in all these moments is powerful: the rituals, the memories, the humor woven in with the grief. I’m moved by the way you describe being her father, still and always. Thinking of you, Tina, and Kiki, especially on days like this.
It was as though little Kiki was around every corner. Goodbye God, I’m going to Bodie. I love this for you Eric. I always enjoy pictures. Especially the ones with the three of you in them. Thank you and Tina both for this post. I really liked the one you shared last year. Looking forward to hearing more from you too.
As always, so moving and beautiful. I tend to read and re-read your pieces, and Eric's too. How lucky Kiki was to share a quarter century of her life with you. The chicken story is beyond magical. I feel shaken with joy. Glad to subscribe to Eric's newsletter today too. You're both such brilliant souls and writers.
Thank you Kyrie, I tend to focus on Kiki’s life and feel fortunate to have spent 25 wonderful years with her. I too am going to shoot for being shaken with joy!
Wonderful storytelling - I can see your descriptions, feel Kiki presence and absence.
Thank you Sue, Kiki is my favorite topic.
Hey Er, I finally read this incredible piece...I now feel like I've been to Bodie, which I never knew existed until I read this. Very mysterious and beautiful and also very "The Hills Have Eyes" too. Your description of picking up Keek to look in the higher windows got me...I can picture how she must have loved exploring that town and her unending imagination about what might have gone on there... I am subscribed and looking forward to any and all of your writings. love from brother Mike
Thanks man! I think you'll like the next story a lot.
Wonderful writing Eric. I love hearing your travel stories past and present. I love hearing Kiki’s name , especially with your or Tina’s voice. I cannot wait to see the new tattoos! And to hug you and Tina. Love you 💕🐓
Hi Peggy, Thank you for the kind words and for being g my 200th subscriber!! Love you!
This post just killed me. I lost my teen-aged son Lucas to suicide four years ago. We have so many memories of traveling with him and places that we wanted to take him. Father’s Day is a tough time for me too. Please take care of yourself.
Thank you Aaron, my heart breaks for your loss of Lucas. The significant days will always be tough for us. Please stay in touch.
“Goodbye God, I’m going to Bodie.” I love that you can still hear Kiki’s voice saying the line. Thank you, Eric, for this post. Happy Father’s Day! And from one nomad full-timer to another—haven’t rented a brick and mortar since 2019–looking forward to NO/MADness.
Thank you, Tina, for this wonderful guest post.
Thank you Holly, We will continue to stay away from real houses, not ready to give up my nomadness quite yet!
Same!
“It was as though little Kiki was around every corner. It may be the closest I’ve felt to her since she died.” - I love this so much! Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment with us!
Also, amazing pictures!! Bodie looks epic and was already on my list of ghost towns to go visit. Thank you for bringing us along. 🩶
Thank you Lyns, you will be amazed when you get to Bodie!
"My God is a 25 year old girl"💛
And church is everywhere!
💛🌵💛
Eric - Like other commenters have noted, I think the quote below is such a nice window into how you and Tina approach your grief as parents (you are such positive models for others), and a fun insight into Kiki's personality. Thank you for sharing yourselves and your journey with all of us.
"The other day Tina said, 'Keek would be mortified that Timothée Chalamet is serious about Kylie Jenner.' I had to agree."
Hi Tim, thanks for the kind words. Kiki and I shared a lot of opinions but she knew what does and doesn't fly in today's PC climate and I really miss hearing , "DAD, you can't say that!"
I agree with Kiki. Timothée Chalamet is too fine to partner with Kylie Jenner--or anyone remotely connected to the Kardashians.
Thank you for launching NO/MADness in this forum. I look forward to more road tales and cultural commentary from Kiki.
Thank you Prudence, I am working on a few things and you can count on continued cultural commentary fro Kiki!
Your writing is as amazing is Tina’s.
That said when I started talking about my family and you didn’t tell us about Kiki, it’s awkward to ask about your children. Maybe you decided not to have any, maybe you couldn’t? I typically choose not to go there and make someone uncomfortable. Please consider this when you meet new people. We would have loved to hear Kiki stories and share your grief and joys about her life. Just a thought.
Thank you Paula, we love to talk about Kiki but sadly we have found that many people don't know how to react when they learn you are a grieving parent. I have only come out of my shell of isolation in the past year, grief is a long, slow journey.
I can’t even begin to imagine. You created a beautiful life while Kiki was with you. And you are so honoring that life and making space for the rest of us to be more profound and present in our own lives. I thank you for that. I can’t wait to go to Bodie. I’m willing to drive Judy there, I think?!
I have three amazing baby girls that are now 44, 42, and 40. I would have loved to hear more about Kiki. It sounds like the three of you made life memorable!
I can only imagine the reactions you get when you choose to share. Still, I would have loved to have heard your stories. I think your family is amazing. May you be blessed on your journeys and keep sharing!
💜💜💜
Fairy dust made me smile, and Kylie Jenner made me laugh. I am grateful to you and Tina for sharing your light with the world and for giving me ever more places to add to my must-visit list. (Montreal, Pie-Town, Bodie,....) Peace & Love to you both xoCJ
Thank you Christa, Keek would be very disappointed in Timothee. Montreal and Pietown are big food destinations, Bodie not so much!
Hi Eric, The way you carry Kiki with you in all these moments is powerful: the rituals, the memories, the humor woven in with the grief. I’m moved by the way you describe being her father, still and always. Thinking of you, Tina, and Kiki, especially on days like this.
Thank you Mary, she's the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing at night, still with me always.
Eric, great writing - I’ll be looking forward to reading your stories as well now!!
Thank you Annette, I love following you guys in FB, hope we overlap at Hunting Island!
It was as though little Kiki was around every corner. Goodbye God, I’m going to Bodie. I love this for you Eric. I always enjoy pictures. Especially the ones with the three of you in them. Thank you and Tina both for this post. I really liked the one you shared last year. Looking forward to hearing more from you too.
Thank you Julia, returning to Bodie was very heartfelt, I was happy to share my experiences.
As always, so moving and beautiful. I tend to read and re-read your pieces, and Eric's too. How lucky Kiki was to share a quarter century of her life with you. The chicken story is beyond magical. I feel shaken with joy. Glad to subscribe to Eric's newsletter today too. You're both such brilliant souls and writers.
Thank you Kyrie, I tend to focus on Kiki’s life and feel fortunate to have spent 25 wonderful years with her. I too am going to shoot for being shaken with joy!