I've often thought about this question myself.

For better or worse, the person "Eric James Bowersox" did exist, and he did many things, good and bad, in his life. I couldn't erase him from history, even if I wanted to. In the end, though, he had the wisdom and courage to surrender that life, and turn it over to me, the person he became, Amy Gale Bowersox.

So where did he go? Did he die? I don't think he did; I'm still here, after all.

But he's just not here anymore. He's a phantom. He exists now only as the caretaker of my memories.

Even now, it can feel like part of him is still around. When I first sang "Nights in White Satin" at karaoke, I remembered vividly how he learned to play that song by ear on a keyboard. It felt like he was giving me the song, making it part of my self as it became part of my repertoire, and with an interpretation all my own.

I honor his life as my progenitor. I will not falter in maintaining the legacy he gave to me so I could live freely as myself.