Rebecca Gayheart<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\nKeep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span>\u201cThese words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried,\u201d Eric<\/strong> began. \u201cOverall we had a blast, didn\u2019t we? I remember all the times we spent at the beach, the two of you, me and mom \u2014 in Santa Monica, Hawaii, Mexico. I see you now playing in the ocean for hours, my water babies. Those days, pun intended, were heaven. I want to tell you four things I\u2019ve learned from this disease, and I hope you don\u2019t just listen to me. I hope you\u2019ll hear me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
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\u201cFirst, live now. Right now. In the present. It\u2019s hard, but I learned to do that,\u201d he continued. \u201cFor years, I have been wandering around mentally and lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing and worrying in self-pity, shame, and doubt. I\u2019ve replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. \u2018I shouldn\u2019t have done this. I never should\u2019ve that.\u2019 No more. Out of pure survival, I am forced to stay in the present. But I don\u2019t want to be anywhere else. The past contains regrets. The future remains unknown. So you have to live now. The present is all you have. Treasure it. Cherish every moment.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cSecond, fall in love,\u201d Eric <\/strong>said. \u201cNot necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something. Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you want to get up in the morning, drives you through the entire day. I fell in love for the first time when I was about your age. I fell in love with acting. That love eventually got me through my darkest hours, my darkest days, my darkest year. I still love my work, I still look forward to it, I still want to get in front of a camera and play my part. My work doesn\u2019t define me, but it excites me. Find something that excites you. Find your path, your purpose, your dream. Then go for it. Really go for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cThird, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you, and then give yourselves to them,\u201d he shared. \u201cThe best of them will give back to you. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked.\u201d <\/p>\n
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Eric<\/strong> said that he was so thankful to his friends who had all \u201cstepped up\u201d for him during his illness. While he explained that he couldn\u2019t do the things he loved \u2013 like going to the gym, driving around, and getting coffee \u2013 anymore, he was grateful for his for just showing up.<\/p>\n\u201cJust show up. And love your friends with everything you have,\u201d he said. \u201cHang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you support you and some will save you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eric<\/strong>\u2018s last lesson to his daughters is to \u201cfight with every ounce of your being, and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cBillie and Georgia, you are my heart,\u201d he concluded. \u201cYou are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eric<\/strong>\u2018s final interview is now streaming on Netflix.<\/p>\n