Remembering Eric Forrester

By Janene Nielsen

Not many who lived in the DFW metroplex five years ago will have forgotten the brutal murder of Eric Forrester, a seventeen-year-old honor student at Southwest High School in Ft Worth, who was shot and killed in his family home by two teens intent on burglary. There was a trial, the perpetrators were found guilty, the Forrester family buried their son, and slowly, quietly the story faded from the headlines—but not from the collective memory of a community traumatized by senseless violence.

In the ensuing five years, the Forresters have worked hard to make sense of their son’s death and in so doing they have found purpose. Joining with The Women’s Center of Fort Worth, they are participating for the second year in the 19^th Annual Victory Over Violence 1k/5k Walk/Run taking place Saturday, April 11^th, starting at 8:00 am at the Duck Pond at Trinity Park in Fort Worth. The purpose of the event is to raise money and awareness to support to the anti-violence programs of The Women’s Center which aids survivors of violent crimes to heal emotionally and resume productive lives.

“Team Eric” is expected to have more than 50 people wearing the green and blue “Walking for Eric 2015” t-shirt. Eric’s parents, grandfather, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends will all turn out for the event.

The Forrester family, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, credits their faith with helping them through unimaginable loss. When asked how this process evolved over the last five years, Debbie Forrester, Eric’s mother, said, “I don’t know if my feelings have evolved or changed. I still miss him immensely. I still do not understand why it happened, but I really do not expect to ever fully understand. I am thankful for my testimony of the Gospel. Without the knowledge that I will see him again, I do not think I would be able to handle this great of a loss. I have never questioned God, or wondered why God would let this happen to such a good person. So, in that way, my faith has made all the difference in the world in how I have survived living without my son. I probably understand the Plan of Salvation and also the challenges that we all face in this life better now.”

In an essay written by Debbie Forrester for The Women’s Center of Fort Worth’s website (www.vovfw.org), something of the strength of the woman and the great love she has for her son are unmistakable:

“My husband loves the poem about the dash. Basically, it says that the length of your life is less important than what you do with the time between your birth and your death – the dash.

“Eric filled his life to overflowing. At 17 he had snorkeled a coral reef, gone rock climbing, cave diving, and cliff jumping. He’d known the thrill of racing four-wheelers through an apple orchard, eating beautiful cherries fresh off the tree, shooting tin cans for target practice, and wrestling a hog. He’d water skied, snow skied, raced a jet ski and a snow mobile. He’d kayaked down a river and slept under the stars. He’d played the guitar, piano, violin, cello, and bass, and he’d written his own music for each. At his high school, he’d participated in orchestra, and had been a baseball player and a swimmer.

“His love of people and generosity of spirit influenced many around him. He displayed a special tenderness with his niece and nephews. As his mother, I knew I could count on Eric to come into my room every evening to talk a little, tell me good night and that he loved me.

“Eric had plans for his life. After high school graduation, he was going on a backpacking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. He could not wait to hike in the rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Next he planned to work on his grandparent’s apple orchard during harvest, just to experience it. He planned to go to college a semester or two before he left for a 2-year full-time mission for his church. He had not picked a major for college, but told everyone that when he got back from his mission he would probably major in something in math or science.

“However, on April 12th, 2010, several weeks before his graduation from Southwest High School, Eric and his sister went home for lunch. Intruders (two 16-year old boys) were in our home. Luckily, our daughter escaped, but Eric did not. After shooting Eric and leaving him for dead, the intruders left our home with two laptop computers. I do not know if there will ever be a total victory over violence. But anything that helps reduce violence is worthwhile. And anything that helps surviving victims of violence emerge from the darkness and thrive is a blessing.”

Since Eric donated all of his organs, including eyes and tissues, “it is impossible to know how many people he actually helped,” said Mrs. Forrester. “The letter we got from LifeGift [a founding member of Donate Life Texas, the donor registry] said that up to 65 people are helped with this type of donation. It was lifesaving to the people who received his lungs, kidneys and liver. They sent us a letter telling us about the people who received his major organs. It was interesting because several were also 17 years old.”

When asked what she could offer others grieving in similar situations, Forrester said, “I don’t know if I have any concrete advice. For me, it helped to see all the love in this world. I was stunned by how many people cared about me and my family. I do not think before this happened that I looked outside of myself and my own little family, and really saw what other people needed. So, I would say to try to find opportunities to serve. If you don’t feel like serving others, just make yourself – put yourself out there. I would also tell people to not be afraid of talking about what happened to other people. Also, it is important to let people serve you. People really do care.”