From: JBrandt@AAA.UOregon.EDU (Jay Brandt (Thyra))
Subject: Re: Friends ... forever ...
Organization: University of Oregon, Architecture
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 92 18:13:54 GMT

In article <1992Sep26.161957.6297@cs.mcgill.ca>,
braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca  (The Didi-Sprite) writes:
> "Listen up everyone!"  she cries.  "Arty has left us in the physical
> sense ... but otherwise he is till a part of The Place!  Yes!  Of course
> he is!  He lives on in our memories ... and he lives on in his own
> words.
> 
> Didi lifts her glass and cries:
> 
> 	       "Best Wishes, Artful Dodger!
> 		Peace and Happiness be yours forever!"
> 
> The -Sprite turns and hurls her now empty glass into the fireplace.  
> For the next few minutes Callahans resounds with the sound of 
> splintering glass.
> 

<Thyra uncurls from her chair, where she has listened intently to the many
heartfelt comments on the passing of the Artful Dodger. She walks quietly
to the chalkline with her glass, which has filled with Dragon's Breath
rather than her usual Brandy Alexander with extra cream. She stands there a
moment with bowed head, a tear or two visible, glistening on the fur of her
face. Then she drinks deeply of the potent liquour, and speaks quietly.>

     Didi-Sprite, Kitten, all of you, thank you for sharing your memories
of your friend with us. I know I speak also for Jason and Pegasus in this.
We did not know him in person, but you have allowed us to share to some
small extent in the things that made him your special friend. In those
happy memories, he lives on, and continues to enrich the lives of others,
including myself and other newcomers here. 

     We ourselves have had several friends very close to the raw edge of
suicide, including one, our friend Julia, which we were fortunate enough to
drag back from the brink just recently. Even when you are there at their
side, it is very difficult to help, and one does not always succeed. Feel
not guilty at the passing of your friend. Surely the friends he met in his
brief sojurn here brightened some portion of his life as much as he
brightened yours. Didi-Sprite has spoken well indeed. He is but a few paces
ahead on the path we all tread in time, and his load is lighter now. We can
wonder in shock at the manner of his passing, for in our culture that path
is difficult to accept. Yet accept it we must, and continue in our destined
paths. He would surely prefer that we revel in the fond memories of his
life, rather than mope over the manner of his passing. 

     I think the Irish have a very good tradition in this situation. Let's
have a wake for your dear departed friend, where you party til you drop
while recounting his good memories. He is guest of honor, here in spirit as
much as he was in life, and will be so long as anyone here bears memories
of him.

     To life! To friends! And to happy memories of both!

<She casts her glass at the fireplace, and in mid flight it becomes three,
glasses, as Jason and Pegasus add their heartfelt agreement. Each explodes
in a fireball as it hits the fireplace.>

<Crash><Crash><Crash><Whuff><Whuff><BOOM!> 
<Pegasus' glass was still half-full.>

<Thyra hugs Didi Sprite and Kitten fiercely, then returns to her chair, and
resumes listening to the tributes to The Artful Dodger, and the tales of
this place.>

<Many Hugs>
Thyra