In Memory of Animal

[Lady Sedai]

This is a little something I think Animal would have liked. It was originally sent around in emails and attributed to George Carlin, but he has since disclaimed it on his website. Whoever wrote it deserves a big hug, though...and I think it rather nicely encompasses what Mark may have been trying to get through to us at the end.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

We loved you, Mark. We miss you. And we'll see you on the other side someday.

[ 03-14-2005, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: Lady Sedai ]

[Cloudbringer]

One of the things he would talk to me about is how people perceive one another and how hard it was to make a good friend anywhere, including online.

One of the biggest problems he had was that many people looked at the things he had - his nice house, cars etc. and not at the PERSON he was. He found that he just didn't connect with alot of people easily because of this. It bothered him and he brought it up a number of times over the last few months.

So remember to take time out to smell the coffee, roses or what have you, and while you're doing it, look past the outer trappings of life and try to find the little things you have in common with others. You'd be surprised how many there are. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Ladyzekke]

Yeah I've seen that George Carlin poem too before, online and recently on TSR. It's what Animal was trying to say to us when it was really near the end I think.

Cloudy, I agree and especially about the "little things" stuff. I'd have to say Animal and I were two totally different people in many respects, but we found a lot of little things in common. LOL I remember how shocked he was when I told him I liked to watch shows like Pimp My Ride and Overhaulin. [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] He also gave me advice sometimes on my own car. Seemed he just wanted to help people, and this was before he was ever ill. It's sad because sometimes late at night on the weekends I find myself subconciously looking for his name on Who's Online, before I remember

[Bahamut]

And I did not even get the change to chat with him and also ask about my car... I wasted my chances on PC talk... blah.

[Lord of Alcohol]

I dont come to GD much anymore I didnt know.......Animal goodbye my friend goodbye

[Downunda]

Saw this thread when it first started and felt like there was nothing I could say that would do justice so ended up not posting.

I still feel the same way but want to say that I'm upset (upset doesn't seem to cover it but can't think of anything else atm) that animal's gone; his was one of the kindest hearts I knew, a great guy, a loving father and husband... a genuine nice person. You don't meet too many people like him in life; fortunately, Ironworks seems to be the exception and I'm glad I've met most of you guys and girls.

miss you mate.
Phil

[Hivetyrant]

Maybe something should come of this?
Maybe this could be the reason to get us all to get to know each other better?
I mean, there is nothing worse than someone you (slightly) know dying and then wishing that you knew them better.

[LordKathen]

Hi guys, I have been gone for some time and wanted to stop in and say hello.
Well, hello. Not that it is a happy hello though.
My goodness, I remember Animal well. Good guy, and condolences to all, especially his family.
I cannot imagine what his girl is going through right now.
Terrible.
Very sad indeed.

[robertthebard]

It seems that here, as every where else in life, I'm the last one to know. All of my discussions with Animal were in Undermountain, and my post on the thread there, while uninformed, seems all the more appropriate now. Farewell, where ever you fare, Animal. You will be missed. Thank you, Cloudy, for telling me. I had thought, as others here, that he was just moving on to bigger and better things. And perhaps he has, just not what I was thinking at the time. While I am no Yorick, I am a Bard, and I will be writing a song for my lost friend. It helps me to deal with the loss. We didn't get to travel the depths of Undermountain much recently, Animal, but we have delved the depths, and I will always remember those times. Once again, farewell, where ever you fare. My heart goes out to your family, and I wish them peace. Farewell.