I received the sort of phone call today that no one wants to get.
My friend Nick died suddenly last night. He was only 42. I've spent the day feeling like I've been kicked in the stomach; I've known Nick going on twenty years.
Nick wasn't a hardcore gamer. He didn't read Dragon or Dungeon or own any d20 supplements. He didn't get excited about new feats or prestige classes (or know what the latter was). He didn't know a d12 from a d20 without looking closely through his thick glasses (though was getting better as of late). He didn't know an owlbear from a stirge.
He played simply because I asked him to join us, and he was patient with the long combats and nights that stretched past his point of staying focused, or even staying awake, at times. He tried to learn what had to seem very complex rules and put up with impatient gamers always asking him what he was doing NOW! He played 2nd Edition and then years later 1st and 3rd. He took it all in stride and had fun, made us laugh, offered suggestions, and made us -- the jaded majority -- look at the game with fresh wonder by allowing us to see it through his eyes every time he played. I can't imagine playing without him.
I will always be your friend Nick. We love you and will miss you.
Dude, I'm sorry to hear that. :-( It's no fun to lose a player, especially one that has touched you so deeply.
Something that we have done is (if you have the opportunity that is) is to gift the deceased player's dice to a new player that has shown real enthusiasm for the game.
My condolences also.
I am sorry for your loss.
I too offer condolences at this difficult time. So sorry to hear about your loss.
I was trying to think of something poetic or insightful to say, but the words escape me.
So I'll do the best I can: I'm sorry for your loss. And no one is truly gone whom you still remember with fondness.
Peace and prayers to Nick's family and friends.
My condolences on your loss.
Sorry dude. Think of the good times.
Ultradan
I'm sorry for your loss. I, unfortunately, can sympathize with the feelings of loosing someone close.
Thanks all for the kind words, they are much appreciated.
Thanks too for the suggestion Lilith, we will do that.
My thoughts last night drove me to write, as many of my fond memories of Nick are those spent gaming (D&D and boardgames) over a wide number of years ... rainy D&D-filled weekends down the shore, all-nighters, rollicking RISK 2210 battles; good memories all that I will hold tight as Luke suggests. Thanks again for giving me a place to put my thoughts.
Thanks all for the kind words, they are much appreciated.
Thanks too for the suggestion Lilith, we will do that.My thoughts last night drove me to write, as many of my fond memories of Nick are those spent gaming (D&D and boardgames) over a wide number of years ... rainy D&D-filled weekends down the shore, all-nighters, rollicking RISK 2210 battles; good memories all that I will hold tight as Luke suggests. Thanks again for giving me a place to put my thoughts.
Let's all take a moment to learn from this. Life is all too often all too short and always seems to end when you least expect it. Make sure those close to you know how you feel, and if you have any old friends you've been "meaning" to get in touch with again, do it now for there may not be a later. I'm going to go call an old friend right now...
My sorrow for your loss...
"This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that rolls his dice with me
Shall be my brother." (Apologies to William Shakespeare)
My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to Nick's family, and to Scylla, who has lost a brother...
I'm so sorry, Scylla...may Nick rest in peace. For how trivial it may seem now...whenever you play D&D, you're going to be remembering your friend. It won't be such a trivial thing after a while.
Our whole gaming group still remembers and honors our own friend Jim, who died in 2001 and was the best DM I've ever known. Every glass of homemade mead I drink I think of him...someday we'll all game together again.
Scylla, Nick will sit at your table again.
Thanks Joex and Amal for the wise words.
I'm sorry to hear about Jim f2k ... and that you know what I'm going through. This Saturday we were scheduled to meet, and the remaining group has decided to meet, but to talk not play. There will be a void there at the table and I don't look forward to it, but I also know Nick would be saddened to think of us upset.
This event served as a good reality check; hold your loved ones close, cherish your friendships, and don't let life's little stresses take hold. I'm very grateful that people on these boards, to whom I am a stranger, have taken the time to offer words of kindness and share their private experiences.
Somewhere, somewhen, somehow, I will indeed meet my friend again and it will be a most welcome reunion.
Sorry to hear about your loss. But, rememberance will always keep them close. Sorry again to hear of your loss.
A.