I'm afraid we've suffered a loss

[Ysgarran]

Rel,

My deepest sympathies.
Ted had a very good friend in you and you had a very good friend with Ted. Keep those memories that you have shared, they are a testament to the kind of person Ted was.

I think a good friendship is one of the best legacies we can leave behind...

Ysgarran.

 

[Estlor]

In times like these we have to take solace in the simple innocence of children.

When your child asks what happened to Ted, tell them:

"Ted had to go home, but we'll see him again someday."

They'll understand.

 

[Broccli_Head]

I do not know what I would do if such a close friend as a fellow gamer died. Not true...I do know...I would mourn greatly since the bonding that we have playing late into the night and in the myriad of adventures on countless worlds goes very deep. It is rarely surpassed. My best friends are those with whom I game.

My sympathies go out to Rel and Speaks and the family of Ted, the Lone Corndog. He will be missed.

--Broccli_Head

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

In times like these we have to take solace in the simple innocence of children.

When your child asks what happened to Ted, tell them:

"Ted had to go home, but we'll see him again someday."

They'll understand.

Wow that's really a great way to put it. If you thought of that yourself, I'm impressed! If not, thanks for passing it on.

 

[Ogre Mage]

Loss

My deepest sympathies. I didn't know Ted, but I've lost many loved ones and know that there aren't really any absolute rules for grieving. It's a journey that each of has to walk on our own, in his or her own way. And it's a journey for Ted as well, to whatever lies beyond this mortal coil. May Kelemvor guide his steps and yours.

--Ogre Mage

 

[Gnome Berzerker]

 

[Mirth]

I'm really sorry to hear about Ted. I didn't know what this thread was until I saw your post in Angelsboi's thread, so I came over here and read it. I've lost touch with many of my old gaming buddies, but this thread has given me the gumption to get in touch with them, even if just to make sure they're breathing. Good luck to you in the future and keep the memory of Ted close to your heart.

Much love,

Jay

 

[Rel]

Just one more word of thanks for all the nice sentiments offered in this thread.

Yesterday was Ted's memorial service and I gave the eulogy. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I've ever done. I did manage to make it through what I had to say without falling to pieces, if only barely.

But afterwards, one person after another came up to me and hugged me and told me that I had absolutely nailed who Ted was and that they couldn't imagine him having been described more accurately. I can't recall having felt more proud than I did at that moment.

Afterwards, a bunch of our group of friends, including all the folks he gamed with, adjourned to a friend's home. Coincidentally, it was the place where we have our once/month RttToEE game and we sat down with plates of food around the basement table where we game. Then I said, "Alright, so you just finished clearing out the Earth Temple and you were backtracking to finish off the guards at the main gate, once and for all..." Everybody laughed.

We spent most of the rest of the afternoon telling stories about Ted, some gaming related, some not. There was a lot more laughter than tears in those hours. It made me realize that he was such a foundational member of our group of friends that, while he will certainly be missed, it will be impossible to forget him, even if we wanted to.

One more thing before I depart this thread and try to get back to something resembling my normal life (including checking out what's been posted on the boards for the last few days): Yesterday, before I headed out to the memorial service, I popped back into this thread and jotted down the locations of all the folks who had posted here. I gave this piece of paper to Ted's mother as we arrived at the service and said, "These are the places from which people have sent their condolences." She unfolded it and her eyes widened with surprise.

Kind words of support had come in from 24 other states and 6 foreign countries.

That is why I love this place. Thank you.

 

[William Ronald]

Rel, Speaks with Stone,

I would like to offer my condolences to Ted's family, yourselves, and your own family. I just learned about this thread while reading about Angelsboi's health.

Ted may no longer be with you, but it seems that he has helped shape both your lives. The best people in our lives help us to discover our true selves. Sometimes, we find that we have gained some of the qualities we value in ourselves because of our fellowship with others.

It seems that Ted gave a lot to those around him. It seems that his memory will be with you always, a source of comfort and strength in the years to come. For myself, I know that those I have mourned are still with me in my heart. May it be so for those who loved Ted.

Although you are grieving, I hope that soon the memories of the good times with Ted will triumph over your pain. Ted was blessed to have good friends and family who loved him dearly. May you be blessed as well.

 

[Rel]

Hi folks.

I wanted to let all of you know that I got word the other night from Ted's mother that she had had the chance to come look at this thread. She told me that she was feeling very down and unable to motivate herself to take care of any of the huge number of details that this tragedy has forced upon her. So, she decided to take a look at the thread here.

She was touched and uplifted by all of the sentiments expressed here. She commented about what an incredibly warm and nice bunch of folks you all were and how it had given her a real boost when she needed it most. For that, she was very thankful.

So I wanted to pass that along and say one other thing: It's easy to see a huge disparity between the number of posts in this thread and then number of views. And that's ok. For some folks, this off-topic stuff is not part of why they come to ENWorld and they don't want to comment. For others, I'm sure that words just fail them and I know that I've felt the same way under similar circumstances. And that's ok too.

But for those of you who did comment, or those who wanted to but couldn't find the words, I wanted to say that it does make a difference. Just something very small like "I'm sorry for your loss" or "You'll be in my thoughts" or even just a sad "smiley" makes a difference. I've found myself frozen and unable to post before because I feel like if I can't say something profound or new that I shouldn't bother the reader with my post. And it also seems like something that takes so little time and effort as just a few simple words couldn't possible do anything to help with the enormous grief that the other person must be feeling.

But it does. It really, really does.

That's something that I'm going to take away from this whole thing and I just wanted to share it. Thank you all so much.