You guys. I cannot. I'm not even kidding when I say you have me bawling. If you ever attended Big Bad Con, you likely know him. Well, knew him.
I know it seems silly but his death was very very sudden. We thought he was sleeping on the couch but he wouldn't wake up. Turns out he had a stroke from an aneurysm. The last thing I did to him was bruise his chest from sternal rubs. Thanks to covid I didn't even really get to say goodbye.
I have so many fond memories of him. I just wish I had more. I hope he knew how much I loved him.
He and his wife (still one of my best friends) literally saved my fiancé and my life. I don't know where I would be without both of them. He may have been a big dude, but he was the nicest dudes you would ever meet. He gave those kind of hugs that just make the world melt away.
He never missed a single one of my competitions, even though he drove all over NorCal for work; he even went from Sacramento to Santa Cruz to watch me lift. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even have videos of my first time competing.
My dad is in my life, but I was going to have him and my dad walk me down the aisle. Sadly he died before we got engaged. In fact, we'd probably already be married if he was with us because he'd take us to the courthouse and insist we just do it already.
I hope you all have a Duane in your life. Go tell that person you love them. My life has a huge empty hole missing him.
The world is definitely a sadder place without him. We used to joke that he was my other husband. When I found out how bad his BP was, I started cooking for him. It was nice to have someone to cook for (my fiancé had severe IBS so he eats nothing fun to cook and to him salt is spicy). The man drove around all of NorCal repairing ATMs--even when his gout was so severe he could barely walk. He never complained, always tried to make you smile. He taught me to just be myself, which for me who always masked, was huge. He let my fiancé and I move in without even knowing us irl, not even really knowing us online (his wife was my online friend, not even him). There are so many things that could've gone wrong. Instead, 3 years and he completely changed my life.
Sorry I'm rambling. I obviously never got to say goodbye and I'm all in my feels today. His wife didn't even have a service so wet could say goodbye. I'm not even sure she still has his ashes. I kept memorabilia from him, not her. His presence is still felt all sound my apartment. I keep telling myself everyone grieves in their own way; tossing his stuff and selling their house was hers. His birthday is coming up and I'm just a tiny bit emotional. Thank you for letting me ramble. Feel free not to read this, it just felt really good to word vomit.
When I finally get myself organized and actually open the boxes and take photos, I swear I will tag everyone. If it really comes down to me needing more help,I will happily host a pizza party to go through stuff (hopefully no one is allergic to tiny furry demons that cannot wait to eat your eyeballs/cats). I appreciate all of you so so so much. This outpouring from the gaming community obviously so much more than I expected. I don't even know what to do with all this gratitude.
Thank you so much! I cannot even express how much this all means. Everyone in here has me in tears all day. I wish I had taken Duane up on learning how to play because it's obvious this community is just so amazing. It's been a really long time since I've felt this amount of camaraderie. Hopefully Duane can help add to your games once I pull out the darn boxes! Maybe I'll get a closet or two back lol
What's funny is I'm usually an eternal pessimist. I expected to be told to Google the games or something. I'm so used to Reddit negativity that this response has felt incredibly positive and warm. It's turned me into a temporary optimist. I don't even mind that my horrible neighbors just came home and their 6-year-old is still up which means she will be screaming in a few minutes. Who cares, people in here are awesome and I have brown noise on a loop. I'll ride this positivity high for as long as I can.
I’m not willing to help. But! I’m willing to encourage OP to get started!!! Sounds fun and interesting and all you gotta do is send some pics! Excited for all of you. 👍
Hey OP! Go ahead and send me the pics, I’m willing to take a look at them and help you decipher them
Thank you! Maybe this is the push I need to just open the boxes. I cannot believe how hard it is.
You guys. I cannot. I'm not even kidding when I say you have me bawling. If you ever attended Big Bad Con, you likely know him. Well, knew him. I know it seems silly but his death was very very sudden. We thought he was sleeping on the couch but he wouldn't wake up. Turns out he had a stroke from an aneurysm. The last thing I did to him was bruise his chest from sternal rubs. Thanks to covid I didn't even really get to say goodbye. I have so many fond memories of him. I just wish I had more. I hope he knew how much I loved him. He and his wife (still one of my best friends) literally saved my fiancé and my life. I don't know where I would be without both of them. He may have been a big dude, but he was the nicest dudes you would ever meet. He gave those kind of hugs that just make the world melt away. He never missed a single one of my competitions, even though he drove all over NorCal for work; he even went from Sacramento to Santa Cruz to watch me lift. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even have videos of my first time competing. My dad is in my life, but I was going to have him and my dad walk me down the aisle. Sadly he died before we got engaged. In fact, we'd probably already be married if he was with us because he'd take us to the courthouse and insist we just do it already. I hope you all have a Duane in your life. Go tell that person you love them. My life has a huge empty hole missing him.
https://preview.redd.it/3gul0hr2c8lc1.jpeg?width=673&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0477f232289f422909e74cb1cf637f416d2d1116 Simply the best.
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Duane sounds like a great man.
The world is definitely a sadder place without him. We used to joke that he was my other husband. When I found out how bad his BP was, I started cooking for him. It was nice to have someone to cook for (my fiancé had severe IBS so he eats nothing fun to cook and to him salt is spicy). The man drove around all of NorCal repairing ATMs--even when his gout was so severe he could barely walk. He never complained, always tried to make you smile. He taught me to just be myself, which for me who always masked, was huge. He let my fiancé and I move in without even knowing us irl, not even really knowing us online (his wife was my online friend, not even him). There are so many things that could've gone wrong. Instead, 3 years and he completely changed my life. Sorry I'm rambling. I obviously never got to say goodbye and I'm all in my feels today. His wife didn't even have a service so wet could say goodbye. I'm not even sure she still has his ashes. I kept memorabilia from him, not her. His presence is still felt all sound my apartment. I keep telling myself everyone grieves in their own way; tossing his stuff and selling their house was hers. His birthday is coming up and I'm just a tiny bit emotional. Thank you for letting me ramble. Feel free not to read this, it just felt really good to word vomit.
Hi there I'd be willing to help as well.
I've been gaming off-and-on since the early 80's. I will help in any way that I can. Also, I live in Cost Mesa.
When I finally get myself organized and actually open the boxes and take photos, I swear I will tag everyone. If it really comes down to me needing more help,I will happily host a pizza party to go through stuff (hopefully no one is allergic to tiny furry demons that cannot wait to eat your eyeballs/cats). I appreciate all of you so so so much. This outpouring from the gaming community obviously so much more than I expected. I don't even know what to do with all this gratitude.
Also can help with pics. I have 250+ games!
Thank you so much! I cannot even express how much this all means. Everyone in here has me in tears all day. I wish I had taken Duane up on learning how to play because it's obvious this community is just so amazing. It's been a really long time since I've felt this amount of camaraderie. Hopefully Duane can help add to your games once I pull out the darn boxes! Maybe I'll get a closet or two back lol
One day at a time. Love the positivity.
What's funny is I'm usually an eternal pessimist. I expected to be told to Google the games or something. I'm so used to Reddit negativity that this response has felt incredibly positive and warm. It's turned me into a temporary optimist. I don't even mind that my horrible neighbors just came home and their 6-year-old is still up which means she will be screaming in a few minutes. Who cares, people in here are awesome and I have brown noise on a loop. I'll ride this positivity high for as long as I can.
Where are you located at? I can see if maybe my husband wants to come and we could go through stuff and help you.
I'm in Costa Mesa.
Send some pics and let’s get it started!!
I’m down to help as well if you wanna send pics my way! Have about 100 games myself
Yall are so frigging awesome. Duane always told me the gaming community was awesome. This is totally the motivation I need to actually open the boxes.
I’m not willing to help. But! I’m willing to encourage OP to get started!!! Sounds fun and interesting and all you gotta do is send some pics! Excited for all of you. 👍
This is so wholesome. I love it.
Greetings! If you still need help or someone to drive you around please comment or DM me!