The Letter

So, it was one year ago today that I got into that car accident in Tampa, Florida that broke my arm. I was working at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival at the time. With no health insurance to speak of, it was quite a financial blow. It has been a year of struggle and frustration. A year when it seemed like every decision I made was wrong. A year of working at jobs which I find totally unfulfilling. I would be lying if I said that I haven't been fighting despair. And I've been asking myself, "Why have I wasted so many years working a Renaissance Festivals when I could have been seeking work that would benefit me more in the future?"

That accident did more than just break my arm. It reminded me of what a fragile thread we all hang on by. It caused me to question every decision I had ever made up to that point. What if I had been killed? What legacy would I have left? Did I make a difference in anyone's life? The fact that I'm going to be turning 40 this June has only served to compound my angst.

Then, the other day, I received an e-mail from a young man named Eirik Bjorkman. Eirik (that's the oldest known spelling of "Eric" in case you were wondering) is a talented young man who I helped direct in the Groundling Support Troupe my last two summers at the Sterling Renaissance Festival (2003 and 2004). I'll let the letter speak for itself...


Hello Johnny- D!!

Greetings from Eirik land! I was just sitting about thinking about that day 2 years ago, at the ren faire, when all the young kids were pushing your legs and arms down and laughing. Damn, a touching moment! So that inspired me to write this email. How are you doing? Any plans for the future?

I am looking at colleges, finishing up my senior year, our school play is in 4 weeks, and i have the male lead! Hooray! I directed and had the lead role in my senior project, we did "The Bald Seprano". It went very well, I learned a lot and had a lot of fun. I finally found an amazing girlfriend, who happened to be a groundling this past year. She was the one in the bright blue dress, if you remember. So that is very good for me.

I wanted to send this email cuz I haven't been very good at keeping in touch for the past few years, taking for granted that I'd always be seeing everyone again. Butthis year there is no groundlings, so i am making sure that the contacts that i want to keep are being kept. I miss you, you really did a lot for me in the two years that you helped me at the faire. Not only did you help open the door of acting for me, but you've done soooooo much more than that. You re-defined my idea of a good person. Your kind spirit and gentle charisma have really helped me in hard times, even the ones that you haven't been present for. I feel that i really need to thank you for that. You've been a great role model for me, and you still are a good influence on me! Stay cool, and stay funky fresh! I love you man!!!!Sending lots of hugs and love,

Eirik Bjorkman (aka Center Dateless, Raphael Dapifer, and Amias James Throckmorton)

That is way I waste my time with this theatre stuff and that is why I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet. Thank you, Eirik. Your letter meant more to me than you could possibly know. I needed that.

--JMD