Neverland Memorial for Erick "MavErick" Bixler

As the tragic news has spread about the loss of Erick 'MavErick' Bixler, there has been an outpouring of outreach and outrage over the sad day he was taken from us.

The community of Nashville Burners feels the pain of losing one of our beloved members. Still, it recognizes the devastation of a legacy left unfinished and the burdens suddenly placed on MavErick's daughters Hannah 'Persephone' Belle and Lilian Raine Bixler. No amount of resources could ever replace him or fill the hole we all feel. Nevertheless, the community created this memorial fundraiser to assist his daughters as they grieve their enormous loss, and have been thrust into the sad reality of the magnitude of his passing.



Biography: Erick Sean Bixler was born in Hollywood, Florida, on May 31st, 1975. He was raised in Roswell, Georgia, by Guina and Gary Bixler, with his two younger sisters Britney and Catherine. He graduated from Chattahoochee High school in the class of 1993. He enlisted in the Army's Airborne Infinity as a paratrooper. Erick later worked as a rigger, underwater welder, master diver, contractor, and entrepreneur. He raised two daughters, Hannah 'Persephone' Belle (21) and Lilian Raine Bixler (19), with Cristie Bixler Coulter. Erick departed this world Sunday, July 26th, 2020. He is survived by his family noted, in addition to two nieces, Sawyer and Sloan, and a brother-in-law, Vince.

MavErick was a true renaissance man who was resourceful as they come. He lived passionately and joyously. He was a daredevil, a clown, a creator, fun seeker, lover of family and community, and shared an insightful view of the world. He made everything he did so much more adventurous, memorable, and exciting. He had energy for life that was boundless and rarely seen. He left a lasting impression on any that crossed his path, whether for a moment or one that would last.
                                                


Persephone and Lili's father, MavErick, gave 100% of himself to his family, friends, as well as the community he loved. We could never possibly provide as much as we have received from him, but we can focus on helping the two people he loved most in his life. We can honor him and show our gratitude for the love and energy he gave us all, without condition or judgment, by helping his children.

We hope to provide his daughters with the resources and tools they need to help them deal with the sudden horrific tragedy of losing their father.  Our goal is to raise $11,000. We are establishing a fund that will provide oversight for distributing resources for the following needs:

1. Financial relief for MavErick's two daughters living expenses for two months during this time while they adjust and handle his affairs. $3k each (needed immediately)

2. Funding to use for professional counseling as the girls' process this loss, the manner it was done, and try to find peace in their lives in the future. We hope to be a catalyst for their journey in this process. $1k each 

3. Assistance to help maintain expenses of Neverland for a few months: utilities, maintenance, and home insurance. This support gives Lili, as the executor of the estate, time to decide what to do. It is ideal for her to manage the property during probate without the burden of feeling rushed or worried about those expenses. $2k

4. Acquire an attorney for initiating the probate process. $1k (needed immediately)
                                                                           
~~~ Below is a  must-read story if you knew and loved this beautiful man. We hope in reading it, you find comfort in reconnecting with the essence and magic of MavErick. Also, for it to inspire you to live your best life and to contribute to this cause.


 
"FINDING PAN: AN ADVENTURER'S GUIDE FOR FLYING"

This is a fairy tale about a most magnificent weirdo stolen from the planet and then found. His name was Maverick, the Man, though to many he was Peter Pan.

A free-spirited and merrily mischievous young boy named Peter, who was known to stubbornly never grow up, spent his never-ending childhood having joyous adventures and not so serious or safe shenanigans on the mystical island of Neverland. Peter was the leader of the Lost Boys and shared marvelous encounters with many eccentric characters. He firstly taught them all to fly, as he was quite fabulously talented himself. Like anyone else who is young and innocent, Peter was a bit rambunctiously boastful and sometimes a careless and less-than-cautious boy. Peter was fearlessly cocky and generally lucky when it came to putting himself in the spotlight of dazzling danger.

Not now though, sadly. At this point in the story, Peter has just been taken by Smee and Starkey, of Captain Hook's crew. They were the worst kind of pirates, and the Captain was the worst of the worst, known to the world as Peter's most awful arch-nemesis.

~~~ And so the tale was told …

Tootles, Nibs, Curly, and the Twins were pacing around the fire out by the creek. You know that spot by the garden, kind of close to the pool of water,  just a few fairy flicks from the swing?

"We've lost our bright star, brother,  and friend," cried Curly as he kicked the coarse dirt, "He was the leader of us Lost Boys. We absolutely must find him!"

"Yes, lost! We all lost a big loving soul," Nibs sniffled and sobbed as he hunched against the hackberry tree, "Our father. Nothing seems real."

Wendy, who was previously engaged in trying to remember how to fly, but had a tear in her eye, overhearing the somber boys lament, jumped off the wooden swing. She readily recalled Peter once tickling her ear. "Wendy,' Peter Pan continued in a voice that no woman has ever yet been able to resist, 'Wendy, one girl is more of use than twenty boys."

With the wind in her sail, Wendy went to the fireside and seriously said, "If we are to find dear Peter, of course, we certainly need an adventure ... afar, away, or anywhere. We will invite everyone over, at once, and find him thoroughly together!"

The Lost Boys and Wendy's brothers set forth to gather all of the legions of loyal loved ones familiar with Peter and Neverland. One by one, they arrived around the camping area. There was Tiger Lily, Tink, Queen Mab, Maimie Mannering, The Darling Family, natives of Neverland, lots of Mermaids, and then even more mermaids arrived, a bunch of other Lost Boys, a full bus of fairies, the never bird, a few grown-ups, oh and some of the good pirates, the best kind, and of course, Tick Tock, the Croc.

Queen Mab, of the fairies who were first to arrive, went to work greeting the legion of loved ones. She offered smudging, blessings, and a speck of fairy dust to all.  Mab assured each guest that she was placing a protective shield over Neverland. COVID the Dark Shark had recently caused a nasty pandemic over the land.  The good Queen hoped that all could rest comfortably and feel safer to be close in Heart. She asked them each to remain equally loving and vigilant. Mab knew the dark shark was warily lurking in the nearby waters and quite possibly the weeds.

As everyone circled around the fresh fire expertly tended by Tootles, Wendy graciously thanked all for arriving. After explaining the utmost of somber situations, she said, "The very first thing we can do is really remember what Peter was literally like, because otherwise, we may faintly forget. Of course, we kindly do know that he wasn’t particularly perfect. Perhaps, he was even as awfully aggravating as many boys are who really refuse to grow up. Yet, if we think of the happiest things, as Peter always sincerely said, it would be the same as having wings! Certainly, we might try." Everyone felt in harmonious haste about this proposition. Not only had they lost poor Peter, but they had all also, for a fraction of time it did seem, foolishly forgotten how to fly.

John and Michael, Wendy's fine brothers, brought out two ginormous trays of tea and began politely passing filled cups around to everyone in the circle. As the fire blazed, one by one, the characters of Neverland shared the happiest of things. Here's some of what was heard by the Hearts of all who sat by the fire, alongside the trees, the critters, the sky, the earth, and the water.

"He was my ride or die, my best friend, the guy who kept me in check but also reminded me to let loose."

"Peter was always looking for the next adventure, chasing joy and experiences, and he loved his people ferociously."

"He was my big brother, but he was family to all who needed him."

"He was always there with positive words and encouragement, or the hard truth when I needed it most."

"He was one of the few people in this world. I knew I could call if I needed help, and he would drop anything to be there for me. A warrior with a soft side, for sure."

 "He was such a crafty, silly, strong, kind soul."

"Peter was a bright, radiant being that impacted so many people in a profound, soulful way. He was a leader. A lover, a friend, and very much a devoted father."

"So much life in one person."

"He forever changed my life's compass."

"Peter was one of the fiercest living and loving humans I have ever had the honor of calling my friend."

"We shared many nights full of laughter."

"He kept me safe when I needed it most, and gifted me pieces of his home and heart, I'll cherish forever."

"This man taught me how to live life to the fullest. Some of my best memories ever are with Peter Pan of Neverland."

"He's so good."

"He's the first person that introduced me to the buffer massage thingy."

“Me too!” several people chimed.

"We were having a grand time."

"Tirelessly creating and unfailingly kind."

“He was a genuine and loving human with the kind of magic and light that only few have.”

"He was a lover, explorer, goofball, rogue, adventurer, biker, winged-warrior, devout friend, and all-around good time clad in leather, fur, and a wide toothy grin."

"Peter lived in a style of wild, unrepentant freedom that most believe only exists in fiction."

"He was encouraging and guiding lost souls to find their joy again. We got lost in the adventure. all wrapped into one incredibly fierce, incredibly magical human being --- friend, lover, confidant, father, warrior, muse, storyteller, alchemist, prankster, caretaker, traveler, protector, creator…"

"One of the most colorful, beautiful, creative, generous, playful souls I've ever known ... Always bringing magic everywhere he went"

"The king of hot tubs everywhere."

"He did have a thing for hot tubs."

"He welcomed us with open arms and an open heart. We played, we laughed, we rode bikes, we climbed trees."

"Yes! We also built swings and swung high."

"There was nothing he couldn't build, fix, grow, or create-and he was an unstoppable, hilarious, loving force of joy and happiness."

“We had some very magical moments in time. Peter had such a beautifully enlightened soul that was otherworldly.”

"He has an impact on others he encounters on his journey."

"He is a wonderful cheerful force to be reckoned with and his energy was endless."

"He was willing to give you a genuine hug and always picked up when you called him. He was always willing to be a friend to so many. He attracted people to his aura. He was a magnificent renegade MF that I envied with his ninja ways, and know how much he was loved and adored by many."

"We played together."

“He was the best neighbor ever.”

"Peter's heart lit up a room."

"That mischievous grin."

"He's one of the best humans I've ever known."

"He's the biggest light in the darkness."

"The most joyous, helpful, contributing, willing, fun, and generous person I know."

"Kind and loving ... having been appreciative ... having been an Inspiration... having followed one's Heart ... in short, having lived a genuinely good life."

"Yes. He was genuinely caring for me and showing me unconditional love and support when I needed it most."

"He had a beautiful, positively radiant soul."

"Peter was all smiles and good vibes."

"Right! He tumbled into blissful gatherings."

"His light shines in the darkness."

"Peter made me feel so completely adored and understood and loved."

"He was such a sweet soul; you would do anything for anyone with no questions."

"A true gem of a human being."

"Peter brought so much love and light to this world..."

"What a wild man."

“Peter’s smile was the most contagious thing.”

"He touched many lives."

"He rode through the crazy mountains for days. A true badass."

"His strength, demeanor, and crystal-like easy flowing energy gave me the freedom to do the same."

“We had a naked dance party on the pirate ship!"

"He had a strong spirit, a warm generosity, and love for life."

"I have met so few good souls, but Peter was one of the few, and one of the few that was truly loved by so many."

"He was a warrior, a pirate, a king, and a queen if we needed him to be. I pity the people who didn't know him."

Lots of laughs and tears later, and after a few bright bells and ceremonious chimes were rung by the fairies, and splashes were splashed by the mermaids, everyone finished savoring their cup of sweet tea. They were very really ready for a fantastic day filled with adventure. Wendy encouragingly said, "We've painted a pleasurable picture of Peter in our once heavy Hearts. Well done. It was easy enough to do. He often brought us together like glue. We will now sincerely set out to find him. Do you remember, Peter thankfully told us,  that all we ever needed was faith, trust, and pixie dust, and it'll surely have us saying funny things to the stars? Talented Tink, will you handily help us out?"

Tink got very, very lit up! She lavishly loved being included and praised. She knew right what was needed of her as she twirled around in delight. Tink's excitement stirred up just enough dainty fine dust that she could sprinkle on all the legions of loved ones gathered to forever find Peter in Neverland. The fire crackled. The trees swayed. The birds chirped.

They all carefully closed their eyes and took a long daring deep breath.  You know that perfect place between sleep and awake where you're always dreaming? That's where they went. They joined in a joyful embrace.

~~~ And so they then wandered as one …

"I'm treasure hunting...bear with me…," Peter swiftly said as he darted into the woods, soon covered by leaves.



"But do wait, Peter… we are likely looking for you," we said quite confusedly, as we hurried after him.

He paused in his hunt. "Don't be so silly! I'm really right here. Well, actually, please do be silly. But. Don't. Laugh." Peter said with a grin and continued with that mischievous look, "You know, I love you, I'm sorry, oh okay thank you, yes, yes, you're welcome, and let's go! Come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned." With that invitation, he leaped to the air.

"But ... But wait, Peter, we can't fly, we figuratively forget. Don't leave us behind," we shivered and shouted severely stuck on the ground. 

Looking somewhat let down, he landed nonetheless nearby. "Surely, you creatively can in your mind! Think of all the joy you'll find ... when you leave the world behind," Peter sang.

"What if we fall?" we questioned as we fearfully frowned.

"Oh, but my darlings, what if you fly?" he so regally replied with his arms poised on his hips, and his proud chin cocked to a side. "When possible, climb to the highest point and smile at the sun… You just think lovely, wonderful thoughts," Peter eagerly explained as he spun us in circles until we saw spots. "Happy thoughts! They lift you up in the air," he demonstrated to be clear.

"But we have faced the quakes, the wind, the fire, and tasted our tears," we sulked with a sway, slowly regaining our step.

"It is not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do, that is the secret of happiness. It is okay to be blue; just do it while remembering all the rainbows colors; that's the clue." Peter plainly said with a simple knowing smile.  "Yes, like what you do. That is what will carry you into the clouds, and look, even the sky is blue," he softly said as he pointed in the general direction of up.

We simply needed a little bread crumb trail of Peter's insight. With those warm words of wonder, we were actually able to once again fly, and we did just that to enter the sky. We played. We danced. We sang. We battled very nasty pirates. We built castles on the sea. We climbed trees and swung high on swings. We watched shooting stars as we swam. We counted crocodiles in the clouds. We laughed. We cried. We loved. We sighed. We fought. We rode bikes and went on glorious hikes. We fired a slingshot. We threw knives and became masters of swords. We kissed the trees and grew fanciful gardens. We thought. We swore we would never grow up. Time seemed to stop as we so pleasantly pranced along the playa of our paradise.

There was a sudden, shockingly weird whisper from the wilful woods and that feeling of woefully waking up. There was a tingling tug. We looked over our shoulder to see. Grasping for a brazen breath, we tried to hold on as we hollered, "But no, wait, we were so pleasantly here, Peter… Peter, it is a necessity! You have to surely come back with us to Neverland!  You don’t propose we possibly go on without you?"

"Don't you understand? You mean more to me than anything in this whole world!" Peter readily replied, "I taught you to play, to fight, and to fly. What more could there be?” Then he awkwardly added as if arguably annoyed, “I will always be a boy and have fun." He crossed his arms smugly and turned ever so slightly, just as if he saw a new toy shining in the haze of the sun.

Knowing that we had very little time until the tireless tug, it was in that moment to say, just what we felt we'd been holding, for many a day.  So we said, "Oh Peter, but we couldn't at first find you in Neverland, you're the true hidden treasure we've been hunting, we can't leave you here. You absolutely must come back, for fear you may disappear."

"Oh? I felt that you found me in your Hearts and imagination, did you not?" Peter anyhow asked. "I mean, you said you sat around the forgiving and formless flames of the fire and conjured up quite a lot of altogether awesomeness," he said with a twinkle in his eye and two thumbs pointing towards himself. 

Distracted by his cheeky grin, we tried to say, "Yes, yes, we did…” We swiftly stuttered and shook as we solemnly said, “But... it seems ... that you ... dangerously did die ... in Neverland.  And we naturally miss you ever so."

"Come now, the cleverness of you. Look at the light. To die will be an awfully big adventure." Peter said, slightly unimpressed with us. "I suppose it's like the ticking crocodile, isn't it? Time is chasing after all of us. What's the fuss?"

We whimpered, as we couldn't even muster a murmur.

"Over there," he pointed and circled his finger in what seemed to be within a close and maybe specific direction of our Heart, "all you need to do is live a full life. Be vigilant. Love wins. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Know joy." Peter himself said... "and never grow up, that's all you need to do, and I'll be right truly there in those moments when you’re ever so curious."

We considered what he said, as it had been so commonly told before. "All we need to do is give thanks. Be beautiful. Take the leap of faith, and the reward will be worth it? Never grow old, you say? Always look for beauty in everything. Say I love you. No matter what?" we tried to paraphrase as we altogether asked. Our attention was diverted. As surprisingly, we simultaneously felt yet another tireless tug.

"Yes, pretty much, it magically might be quite marvelous like that," Peter said and alternatively added, "Just always be waiting for me." He simply smiled, "Wait for me somewhere between reality and all we've ever dreamed. You know that place between sleep and awake where you're always dreaming? That's where I'll always love you. That's where I'll be waiting. Do you bravely believe me?”

The time was told. It was now. We looked at Peter the Man with open eyes. We nodded. We will. 

He paused and then quietly added, “Did you know I always thought you were braver than me? Did you ever guess that that was why I was afraid? It wasn't that I only loved some of you. But I wondered if you could ever love more than some of me. I knew I'd miss you.”

Finally, with actual acceptance, we answered, "We will miss you with certainty. Yes, and we do bravely believe you, kind sir, friend, brother, and father. You were always a winged one, and now you are our angel. Peter, you won’t perhaps forget us, will you?" 

“Me? Forget you? Never,” he assured, adding, “You never leave me. I never forget a thing. Every kind of love, it seems, is the only one. It doesn't happen twice.”

Tick tock, time was still telling. We said our further farewell as the woods wondered where we were, "Okay then, we must go. Goodbye, dear Peter, we surely, do literally love you."

"Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting. Never is an awfully long time," was the last thing we heard Peter seamlessly say during this dreamy and dauntless day. 

~~~ And so we returned with a treasure ...

Agreeably, what a grand adventure we seemingly shared! As the legion of loved ones all gathered with attention back around the still lit fire at Neverland, we lovingly looked around at one another. How lucky we were. It was evident in each of our eyes that Peter was further found and with us finally forever. In that spacious space, he was in our hearts and imaginations always, in all ways, between awake and asleep.

Tiger Lily was the first to speak something aloud amidst the gathered crowd. While others were still coming around trying to acclimate on the groovy ground. It was as if she talked to Peter himself. She was heard saying, “I like to think that one day after I die, at least one small particle of me will float away to Neverland, and be a part of a flower or something like that. I like to think that nothing’s final, and that everyone gets to be together even when it looks like they don’t, that it all works out even when all the evidence seems to say something else…" she pregnantly paused, "but maybe … maybe we are just stories. Like we may as well just be words on a page because we're only what we've done and what we are going to do… I never expected that you could have a broken heart and love with it too, so much that it doesn't seem broken at all.” 

Tinker Bell was the second to successfully and surprisingly speak. It was quite a statement she slowly and softly did squeak, "Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever."

Mab among the legions of loved ones shortly after shared, "Peter is a level of being rarely witnessed. He's a central hub in our community."

There was much agreement in the circle as Micheal Wendy's brother added, "This is going to bring the community closer, and that's what Peter would want."

Another among us similarly said, "He's bringing that community back together in his name right now."

And yet another simply stated, "May we remember to live more fiercely without letting our anger and pain harden us."

Many nodded but all got questionably quiet. Wendy took a quick look at Queen Mab, who gave her a sign. Which meant to Wendy that we were off the hook, for the dark shark had not been spotted. The stifled stillness was pain that tickled our gain. Wendy briefly broke the short silence by asking, "Perhaps it will be more magnificent than he and we even imagined. Does anyone else feel eager in wanting to share? I mean, you can always offer appreciations or intentions if you do care.”

And here's what was seemingly said by some attendees amongst the legions of lovers gathered as they sat by the still flickering fire, alongside the trees, the critters, the sky, the earth, and the water.

"He will always be my brother, In this life and the next."

"I know I have a beautiful angel watching over me now."

"May we all embody the spirit of Peter."

"We thank you."

"Good night, sweet prince, and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest… until we meet again."

"The hands of the many must join as one."

"Gone, but not forgotten, from this world, on to the next, a beautiful soul has returned to the Universe..."

"I will love you with my entire being until I draw my last breath. I am giving so much thanks and praise to the Universe for giving me YOU."

"I love you, brotha. Save a seat for me. This friendship is not fucking done by a long shot."

"...enjoy eternity, old friend… we will see you soon".

"We will keep being vigilant and keep that smile on our faces!!"

"Someone so special can never be forgotten."

"Will miss you, good sir. And we will see you again."

"I feel honored to have been able to share an adventure with you."

"I am proud of you."

“So damn grateful that I got to know you, Peter. We'll share more dances.”

"Fly High, dude! I know you're the life of the party everywhere you go."

"Thank you for the tickling and the kisses on my eyeball!"

"We love you, eternally."

"I'm grateful for the legacy."

"You. Thank u."

"I know the cosmos will treat you well."

"This dance is for you."

"May we carry your spirit in all of our adventures and celebrate your life as often as possible."

"Valhalla is lucky to receive such a warrior. Peter, your Spirit will forever live on in my Heart."

"Rest easy brother, father, protector, friend... see you soon".

"To Valhalla you sail."

"May the Universe open wide to receive your infinite soul. Yes, see you soon."

"I see Peter on his dinghy boat sailing peacefully into the setting sun. See you again one day. I'll maybe even show you and the moon my bare bum.  More shenanigans surely to come."

 "You will forever be an inspiration to many people, and you, sir, have indeed left an impact in many lives."  

"If the measure of a man's life can be taken simply from tributes, he was a giant among us."

 "When I showed Peter this photo, he said, 'wow, that's how I'd want to be remembered'… And I think he'd feel the same about all we've said and done  just now."  One among us,  thus speaking, offered this image pleasingly passed around the fateful fire for all to see.


~~~ And in closing, we shared in departing the fire …

We will miss thee, dear MavErick. We offer our respect as a charm of luck, we offer our image of you as a compass, and we offer our love to bolster you on your journey through the realms.

To know you was to love you, and we love you more than words will ever possibly say.

~~~ And MavErick, the sweet Spirit warmly whispered … bless it

"There's a hundred memories that can say a hundred things about how lucky I am to be who I am. But for so many reasons, 'these words you all painted like pictures,' really got me today, 'just now.' I am a lucky man. For this and so many other pictures worth of reasons."

"Cherish your time spent with those that you love." ~ MavErick

~~~ And so it was that he encouraged all to celebrate the magic of life … and certainly, to fly.

                                  
A note from this fairy tale's whimsical wordsmith: "I explored the liberty of crafting this magical story combining the historical and metaphorical tale of Peter Pan, with the wish-filled words, and creative condolences offered by +45 of MavErick's friends and family, to  honor his +45 magnificent years of long and abundant living.  Character Quotes from the work of author J.M. Barrie are italicized, and within quotations spoken by Peter, Wendy, Tiger Lili, and Tink. There are over 90 quotes by loved ones, Peter Pan, and the Man himself, woven like a spiral dance into this short yet sacred story. As one word inspires the next, I included extra attention to the texture by adding fairy-tale-like alliteration or shifting sentiment spoken by others. The design was a neural-network, catalyzing the story's possibilities as it wove together into a patchwork quilt, sewn by the love of many. I see this as a ship or vessel we collectively constructed, with fastened lifeboats onboard. We each have a need for individual journeys, and here is a small dinghy offered for taking to sea, if need be.

The tale emerged in my imagination without much grunt or diesel. It and I were fueled on ever so much love drunk from the wellspring of our wonderfully shared woes, wishes, and will to be, and the flame of a very dandy dragon. It didn't feel necessary or appropriate to name the co-authors of this journey. I considered the many individual quotes and all the collective creativity, and I was almost sure we were all on board. Though the ship has already sailed, this is my public request for permission. My intent here is to honor every person by making our feelings in the tale  shared, since we all lovingly cared. Still, if you notice your words for any reason and would rather them readily removed, please let us know. We will be happy to accommodate their excavation. I herein hope that this story homogeneously helps you find  peace and happiness. That it inspires you to emulate MavErick in loving adventures, joy, sharing life, and time with friends and family, and caring for his beautiful daughters via this campaign. Namaste." ~ Jenja