Today is the marker for 2 months of rising above cancer for one of my best friends in this life, Erik Cantine. Erik and I have raised a brilliant daughter together, travelled overseas representing the United States in ice sculpture events, as well as faced a multitude of life’s little demons that come with any good relationship. We’ve been through a lot together.
But nothing helps you face life more than the threat of death.
The first time I met Erik, almost 26 years ago, I had just gashed my arm open with a chainsaw in an ice carving competition, so my stitches got all the attention. We met again in Jamaica almost a year later, and my life has never been the same since. All the fireworks were there. He was tall, handsome, creative and filled with adventure. Together, we were unstoppable. We traveled the world on blocks of ice. From city-to-city meeting some of the most amazing artists, chefs, and art connoisseurs through the magic of sculpting ice competitively.
I learned so much with Erik. Upon returning from Jamaica, he helped me finish my first big sculpture commission - Act of Valor - in a permanent medium. Life became a whirlwind of passion, art, travel and soul searching. I sculpted my first bronze all thanks to his love for my art and his belief in why I did it. Erik both inspired me and fired me up to conquer all my fears.
I always believed that art had a much higher purpose than skill level or appeal. I felt this was communication on a level so complete that one glance at a good message could affect the lives of others in very significant ways. Erik not only saw this but was enamored and taken by it as well. In this way, I believe we had that perfect trinity session with God, and that the messages from our creations were putting light back into people's eyes EVERYWHERE.
I saw this drive in Erik’s heart early on and through all that we’ve been through, the greater good has always helped us to rise above it all. We experienced all the joys of raising our daughter Mikayla, and shared all the proud parent moments even though we didn’t stay together. We remained friends and fought off all the opportunities to carry grudges.
This journey with brain cancer has been way more than a fight for Erik’s life. It's been a journey into why we live - what we really live for - what it means to truly CARE.
It begs me to answer the very aspect of what time is. Through the memories we have together we can travel back, through our visions and dreams we travel forward… but right now…
Right now, just as I wrote that a blue jay flew up to my windowsill and flapped against the glass- causing my cat to hit the window too!
SEE? RIGHT NOW, it’s everything. Right now is all we truly have, and in the right now ANYTHING can happen… when we rise above to experience the moment we are in.
I looked up the spiritual meaning of a blue jay and this is what I found:
“A blue jay’s spiritual meaning is related to freedom and wide possibilities. It reminds you to get rid of fear and doubts. You’re probably carrying a heavy load from the past which stops you from moving forward. This is the perfect moment to change that and to get rid of that burden. You need to be free as a bird.”
Haha! That couldn’t be more perfect for this moment that I am writing. Jeez. Never ceases to amaze me.
So on this anniversary for Erik Cantine, rising above all the conflict, the stress, the strife and the struggle, and no matter where you are inside of those, find that burst of freedom, the Wiley blue jay within you and live in the moment you are in. Fully appreciating all of it, because it’s changing - and by now it already has. Seize the day, be your best, and love to its fullest.
Congratulations Erik for this and every moment. You’ve created a lifetime of memories that will last forever in our hearts and have a boatload of dreams to carry on in the future.