A special thanks to the ENWorld community

[caudor]

Since this is not related directly to gaming, I'll try to keep it short. I've been wanting to do this for a long time.

Back in 2004, I was very active on ENWorld. On my birthday that year, my father died. I was in a really dark place and was looking for someone--anyone to reach out to for support.

I don't even remember exactly what words I posted, but I shared my grief at the time on these boards. The response was stunning and overwhelming. I can't explain how much of a positive impact that event had on me going forward.

I'm doing well now. I just want to share my heart-felt thanks to this great community---all of you. Thank you! Bless you all!

Let's game on!
Sincerely,
Chris Richardson
caudor

 

[jaerdaph]

Thank *you* for the reminder of why EN World is such a great place! I sometimes forget that and this reminder was quite timely.

 

[Ambrus]

Glad to hear you're doing better these days. Is there a link to the original thread perchance? I'd be curious to see what was written that so touched you.

 

[Piratecat]

For my small part, you're very welcome - this place is better for having lots of kind, caring people. I appreciate that.

 

[Mark]

I'm doing well now.

That's good to know. Stay well.

 

[weem]

That's good to hear.

I found the thread by the way, and was curious about something...

...I hope you don't mind me asking, but you asked (in that thread) "how long can I expect it will last?" regarding those feelings. So my question is, how long did it last (sounds like you are out from under the worst of it at least)?

Like I said, I was just curious and don't mean to drudge anything up - feel free to ignore this question if you would rather. I'm just thinking of these things a lot as my parents get older and have more and more health issues.

---edit---

Prolly should have just PM'd the question, but I felt it was okay based on the one you asked back then (can't help sitting here feeling bad for asking now)

 

[Ambrus]

Thanks for the link Weem.

Now I see what you were talking about Caudor; it is a touching little thread. I now remember reading it back then but, never having suffered the loss of a parent myself, I didn't feel that it was my place to say anything. Although I can try to imagine what it might feel like, without having been there I'm certain that I can't truly grasp the depth of the pain you must have been feeling. Saying "my condolences" seems kind of hollow and meaningless when confronted with that sort of loss. I'm glad to see that those enworlders who'd shared your experience did step forward to offer what comfort and advice they could. They're the ones who deserves praise:

Imhotepthewise
Cthulhu's Librarian
Argent Silvermage
KenM
William Ronald
Buttercup
DaveStebbins
Wombat
s/LaSH
Steve Jung
RangerWickett
mythusmage
Thornir Alekeg
Mark
LeifVignirsson
Rel
king_ghidorah
Sir Elton
Snoweel
Warlord Ralts

Kudos!

 

[Treebore]

I have seen a number of such threads on ENWorld over the years. When you get down to it there are a lot of good people who hang out around here.

Sorry I didn't try and help at the time, if I remember correctly that was when my wife was in the hospital and we were discovering how disabled she was to become. I think July was a little early though, I think that didn't happen until December of 2004.

So I probably just missed the thread completely. Glad your doing OK.

 

[caudor]

That's good to hear.

I found the thread by the way, and was curious about something...

...I hope you don't mind me asking, but you asked (in that thread) "how long can I expect it will last?" regarding those feelings. So my question is, how long did it last (sounds like you are out from under the worst of it at least)?

---edit---

Prolly should have just PM'd the question, but I felt it was okay based on the one you asked back then (can't help sitting here feeling bad for asking now)

Thanks again for the kind replies. And thanks to all those who PM'ed and Weem I'm just fine with the old link being posted. I had not even considered that my original thread might still exist, so I didn't search.

Upon reading it again, I felt the same sense of gratitude that I felt back then.

Weem and Ambrus, to answer your questions best I can---
Why was I so touched? The responses really comforted with me in a way that is hard to explain; so much so, that it remained branded in my mind as time passed. Many of the responders used their own lives as examples on what to do and what to expect in a very warm and personal way. If you browse some of the responses from back then, I think the specialness of this community becomes self-evident.

How long did it take me to get over it? I can't really pinpoint a specific time. I think I have never really gotten over it, that painful empty spot, but earlier this year came to realize that I have finally accepted what happened and pressed on with my life. Now I have those fond memories that several ENWorlders said would one day come.

I'm not even sure why I chose today to express my gratitude to the folks at ENWorld. Maybe because today I feel the healing, part of which was due that post and the responses that happened back then.

If you ever have that feeling ENWorld has changed or declined because of the Edition Wars or some other differences, just remember this community is made up of the finest people you will find anywhere.

And for that, I'm deeply grateful to count myself among this community.

Thanks again to all Please forgive me if this thread was too heavy.

 

[Mark]

Please forgive me if this thread was too heavy.

It ain't heavy. You're our poster.


I was just thinking about my late mother recently. Her birthday was a week and a half ago and, strangely, on another board I sometimes frequent someone, just offhandedly, happened to make a joke at her expense. When I mentioned her being dead, just flatly and thinking that should coax a normal person to leave well enough alone, the response was to follow up with a additional joke at her expense compounded with the new information of her being dead. The Internet can house both kindness and rudeness in abundance. Thank goodness that we can sometimes find the kindness (no, stoners, not that kindness this time ).