I don’t post here often, mostly I just lurk. I saw your handle on one of the messages here – it wasn’t the root message, or my initial reaction would have been very different – and I had not seen (or had not remembered seeing) your name before. So, seeing your handle, my initial impulse was to crack a joke: “Hey, any relation to Jonathan Livingston Seagull?”
But even after seeing the root message, with its terrible diagnosis news, it seems to me that my first reaction is not entirely misplaced: “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” has a number of highly profound messages and sentiments in it on the meaning of life and death, and I strongly suspect that that small book had more than its share of allegory.
Someone here quoted from “The Little Prince,” one of my favorite books, which is likewise full of profound messages on life, death, and the joy of being a child.
But perhaps the profoundest book you might read in your situation might be “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams (be sure to get an unabridged version), written in 1922. The whole thing can be read on any one of several levels. On the surface, it is as beautiful a description of the bond that forms between a child and his favorite toy as anything you will ever find; but deeper down, you will find it a gorgeous allegory on the meaning of life and death. The central question throughout the book is, “What is ‘REAL’ (i.e., reality)”? Well – not THIS life, that’s for sure!
We have been told that this world is NOT our true home. Our true Home is heaven, and it is my fervent hope, that when your time here is done – whenever that is – you will attain it. May the Lord God be with you. Amen.
We’ve never interacted, but I’ve been in this community for many years and saw all your contributions for all of us in form of comments and guidance. I wish to say thank you for all your effort and love all these years. I’m saddened to hear this devastating news, but be aware that we’ll never forget you.
Having also been here a long time, I remember you fondly as a frequent supporter of others. If it weren’t for the forum telling me it’d been 9 years since you’d last posted I’d have thought it hadn’t been nearly that long.
I’m very sorry to hear your news, but I’m also very happy that you’ve been given this opportunity for closure, and that you are in good spirits. I hope your remaining time is as pleasant as possible and that you get through that bucket list.
We haven’t met, but your letter touched me deeply. Thank you for finding the time and the strength to write it. I also want to thank you for the meaningful contribution you’ve made to this community and to the people within it.
I hope you received the love, care, and warmth that every kind soul in this world deserves, and that peace and serenity will embrace you in what comes after.
It saddens me that you’re leaving. Perhaps, one day, we’ll all meet There. We’ll sit together, share a few stories, mourn a little, laugh a little, and hold close the warm moments of our lives… when the hour comes.
Another star will fade, but the light of its radiance will remain in our hearts. And that light we will carry through our lives, in memory of those who have faded.
I still remember some of my earliest days on the forum, when your replies to everything from newbie questions to debate topics struck me as sincere, considerate, and thoughtful—everything that the community is at its very best. I learned a lot from what you had to say, and I’ll always be grateful.
I’ve never had the opportunity to get to know you but your words have moved me deeply.
This post alone is enough to show us all what a wonderful being you are.
I admire your strength and I hope your remaining time, however much that may be, is the best time you could possibly have.
I’m a stranger to you but I make the promise to think of you from time to time and I’m certain that people that have had the pleasure to actually know you will be doing the same, you won’t be forgotten and by showing me how gracefully you’re handling this situation, you have made a difference in my life, so there’s nothing for you to be afraid of
I’m so sorry to hear your news, but rest assured you won’t be forgotten. You have placed many bricks into the foundations of this community and will always be here in one form or other. Thank you for taking the time to say a proper goodbye. As ever present in your words, your kindness shines through.
I have been a lurker for a while now and just wanted to say that you will be missed. As someone who has lost one parent to cancer and just had another ring the bell last week. This disease still feels raw and I wish you a peaceful time with family and friends.
I joined the forum after your time, but I recognize your name from when I was looking through the threads for advice. I’m grateful for even that small way our lives intersected, and as a fellow porcupine admirer I hope that every day is beautiful for you.
We never interacted, but even so I saw your name pop up often enough to recognize it here. So despite not knowing you personally, I think it’s safe to say that you are an unforgettable part of this community. I hope I don’t sound pretentious but your writing in this thread moved me a lot. I’m wishing you the most beautiful sunsets
Crawling out of my lurker lair to simply say: Thank you.
Thank you for all your helpful advice, your thoughtful insights, and your continued love and respect for animals and the natural world.
Twice I’ve said goodbye to loved ones who knew their time was approaching, so I understand what a uniquely double-edged blessing that can be. It takes a special kind of courage and grace to find peace in the shadow of death, and I am relieved to know you’ve found yours. I wish you all the joy and comfort you deserve, and your loved ones all the closure they require.
Thank you for being here.
Fly high, feather friend. Rest easy to know you are remembered.
If I remember correctly, one of the first arguments I ever had on here was with you! Still, (I’d like to think I’ve matured since then) you treated me well and didn’t come at me for saying something stupid…Always did want to apologize. Thank you for being here, and sorry for the stupid crap I said. Be well, you will be missed.
Edit: I still can’t think of what to put on Eiwynn’s thread, so it was nice to be able to say something on this one.
It’s remarkable how much impact someone like FairyGodfeather can have just by being helpful and engaging. I never actually talked to him, and I joined the forum after he left, but since we both played Heroes Rise, his name and opinions were familiar to me on the game’s threads. I didn’t know him, he didn’t know me, but in a quiet sense, we were familiar—an ocean apart, he and I, along with everyone else on those threads, bound by a shared love for the same book.
Don’t worry about being forgotten or thinking you didn’t make an impact. Out of thousands of users here, you are one of just 44 recognized as a leader. The badge says it better than I ever could: “You set a positive example for the rest of the community with your actions and words here.” You did your part, and you did it well. We can only hope to leave that kind of mark on others.
I never had the chance to get to know you, but I always appreciated seeing your comments here back in the day. And I always think of you when I see little drawings of pigeons, even nearly ten years since the last time I saw you on the forum. I’d always felt a love for those birds, and it felt nice knowing that somewhere out there you were enjoying them as much as I was.
I don’t really know what all I could say. I hope you have some peace, seeing how many people here love, respect, and remember you, even after all this time. You’re one of the first people I remember seeing on here, and I always remember how kind you are. And when anyone talks about the old days here, I think about your friendliness. That’s how everyone here will remember you, and I think that shows in and of itself that you’ve made a difference in our lives.
Be well, you will be missed.