I've only gotten to know you over the past five months or so, but it has been a supreme pleasure. I can't and won't comment on the medical side of this post, but I would like to speak to your concerns on the meaningfulness of your life. Because I've been there. I know the sinking suspicion that I did not live, but merely existed. I still struggle with those feelings. But, a dear friend once told me something that made me feel less empty, and I hope they'll forgive me for butchering what they told me.
The greatest pain and fear of humanity is loneliness. More than the fear of physical pain, more than the fear of death, we fear that our lives will go unnoticed by our fellow passengers, that we will be forgotten. It is therefore my estimation that there is no greater good, no nobler goal than to alleviate that fear. To foster community, to give company, to share in life and imagination's sorrows and triumphs with one another.
You have done this. In writing, in gaming, in joining this community and giving your time and energy to the games, you have fostered this community, given company, and shared in both sorrows and triumphs. Yes, in this case they were born of our imaginations. Their impact was no less felt for that. You have lessened the loneliness of, if no one else, one lonely man sitting at his computer desk. Though I suspect you have done so for many, many others.
Catherine Cook, I have been honored to share my loneliness with you, and it is my fervent wish that your recovery is swift and complete. On your return, I would be further honored to know you better. Godspeed.
The greatest pain and fear of humanity is loneliness. More than the fear of physical pain, more than the fear of death, we fear that our lives will go unnoticed by our fellow passengers, that we will be forgotten. It is therefore my estimation that there is no greater good, no nobler goal than to alleviate that fear. To foster community, to give company, to share in life and imagination's sorrows and triumphs with one another.
You have done this. In writing, in gaming, in joining this community and giving your time and energy to the games, you have fostered this community, given company, and shared in both sorrows and triumphs. Yes, in this case they were born of our imaginations. Their impact was no less felt for that. You have lessened the loneliness of, if no one else, one lonely man sitting at his computer desk. Though I suspect you have done so for many, many others.
Catherine Cook, I have been honored to share my loneliness with you, and it is my fervent wish that your recovery is swift and complete. On your return, I would be further honored to know you better. Godspeed.