Eric (Ricky) November 1977 ~ May 23, 2011

Ricky, today it is one year since you quietly slipped away during the night to start the journey to your new world. Since you have gone a whole year of days and seasons has passed, but it has been so different without you. The sun does not seem as warm and inviting, the flowers bloom but their perfume is not as sweet and the new season's birds sing, but somehow their song is not as it was when you were here.

You were with us for 33 years and each and every one of those years you taught us how wonderful life can be when you have the right blend of optimism, compassion and understanding. You had more than your share of setbacks with health issues but your stoicism and absolute will to live always carried the day, until your final few days. On the Sunday before you left us you were so weak you could hardly keep your eyes open, yet in the afternoon you still came and sat with us both in turn, snuggling your beak into our necks and softly murmuring. On reflection I think you knew it was your time and you were saying good-bye in your own gentle way. Oh how we now miss those cuddles and goodnight kisses. That night you passed away and sadly a few hours later we received the results of all the tests you had on Saturday that showed your liver, kidneys and pancreas were all in an advanced state of failure.

There are so many things I could write about you and the absolute privilege it was to share in a gentle life lived with such care and compassion for others. One story though will help illustrate your beautiful spirit:

When you first came to us we already had young twin Peach Face parrots, Sam and Toby, whom we had hand raised. They were totally bonded and preferred each other's company so that left you to bond with both of us, which you did enthusiastically. Then one night five years on as we were putting the boys to bed Sam had a massive seizure and died. They had never been separated during their lives and Toby was absolutely distraught at the loss of his twin brother. In our ignorance we did not know how to comfort Toby so you stepped in and literally took him under your wing, allowing him to snuggle into you as he had previously done with his brother. The adoration on little Toby's face as he snuggled you told us everything. This wonderful caring relationship continued until Toby passed away at the age of seventeen.

Although your passing brought with it such unimaginable grief we would gladly live again every minute even in the knowledge of its terrible ending, just to share in the life of such a generous compassionate spirit. The absolute pleasure of those thirty three years far outweighs the pain of the past year.

Soar with angels beautiful boy.

Sadly I remember when your beautiful Eric passed away. He was a very special boy. So sad you lost Sam and Toby as well.

So sorry, he was very beautiful.
Thinking of you x

He was beautiful and very special. Thinking of you xx

massive hugs. he was lovely