A list of DU'ers we have lost, links to threads, a song, and my own thoughts

[The Straight Story]

Links/List below.

Over the years I have been here, since 2004, I have went through major changes in my life. A lot of loss, hard times, some good times. DU has been an outpost for me, a place to come and talk about issues, my life, and to talk to others about theirs.

In many ways this place has been my small community. A rock for me in times of great storms, as well as a place to share my joy. When I cried, I was comforted, when I worried I was encouraged, when I was happy I had folks to celebrate it with.

"It is just a website, and you don't even know those people" some would say.

But I do know you in a way I need to know you. One could say "It is just a bar, they are just friends who email you that you have not seen from high school" etc and so on.

Words have meaning, they have an affect.

And the words from many here have made me laugh, cry, have hope, angered me, cheered me up, entertained me on terribly lonely nights, they gave me joy, made me think.

The posts of people here mean more to me than posts from people elsewhere, because I have come to know you, and you me.

Some of those voices have fallen silent, never to be heard again.

I miss people I never met, but who nonetheless had an impact on my life.

Many nights when I was working all alone I hit up DU and saw Khepra's posts. I knew I could come here and read something to keep me awake at night and learning new things. He never knew me, nor I him, and I read his stuff before I even joined DU.

You and your posts, even if you think no one cares because you don't get a lot of replies, may well be making someone else's life out there a littler easier. They may help someone get their mind of their issues. Your posts might well be doing a lot more than you realize.

Here is a song for those who have went silent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwt3nxa2F1k

And here is an initial list - please add more that I have missed:
My dear Khash...May you rest in peace...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7923804

Very sad news regarding DUer Alarcojon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2224744

DU has lost a great friend: Mike McArdle, AKA "birdman"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=438164&mesg_id=438164

His name was Scott Lowery, and he was my friend (Khephra)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2382509&mesg_id=2382509

One of our DU friends has died (playahata1)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3110879

our dear Oneighty has passed away
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5669583

We also lost DUer scottie72 in 2005 (noted by flamingyouth in the following thread:)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2228717#2236990

4 Years Ago Today, Andy Stephenson, died.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6005925

AllJunkMail (as noted in thread below)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2228717#2237762

Olaf the White - as noted here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5814876

nostamj (nice thread here about it:)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2996748

Tangerin LaBamba
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7344904#7345132

[Dinger]

1. MaddieJoan Passed Away About One year Ago

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=221x99599

[Raine]

16. Very sorry to hear this, I didn't know.

I got into it with her a couple of times, she was very passionate, which is as it should be. Sad news for sure. :-(

[intheflow]

2. We lost Longhorn just this last February.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4966424

I still miss her dreadfully. :cry:

[The Straight Story]

13. We really do need a DU Memorial wall (nt)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Here's my thread on Nostamj's passing:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=2991174

[kdmorris]

4. What about Kephra and Sapphire Blue?

How can they not be included on the list?

[The Straight Story]

5. Kephra was

And thanks for adding Sapphire Blue. I can't remember them all....

[kdmorris]

7. ACK!!

I spelled it wrong when I did the Ctrl +F... see what happens when you stay up to late?

My bad.

[The Straight Story]

8. I did the same thing when looking for links to threads :)

And again, thanks for the reminder on Blue. She was a wonderful advocate for the homeless/poor.

[earcandle]

6. Thanks for sharing your roots here. And your message.

[shireen]

9. thanks for posting this.

that was very thoughtful and kind of you ....
:hug:

[JohnnyLib2]

10. Thank you. Let's add Monkeyman.

Sad night, indeed.

[nemo137]

11. Thank you.

It feels, I guess, weird and silly to be sad about losing someone I never met, but I remember when Khephra and Oneighty and MaddieJoan and nostamj died. Feels melancholy, you know? and you don't really notice until a few months later when you realize you haven't read anything from them in a while, and then think that you won't ever again.

I don't know, it's silly and sentimental, but there it is.

[The Straight Story]

12. No stranger than realizing you won't ever see Lucille Ball in a movie/tv show

and feeling sad about it.

She always reminded me of my mom. And when she died (Lucy) I cried. Never met her, but felt like I knew her. She brought me many laughs and happy times.

You don't have to know someone personally to be affected by their life.

Hell, politicians affect our lives in many ways and we may never meet them.

Life isn't just about face to face meetings, we learn a lot from many we never know, and when they go away there is a void.

I guess that makes us human :)

[malaise]

14. Nice thread

Rec

[bigwillq]

15. Thanks for posting this thread.

K and R

:hi: :hug:

[Arctic Dave]

17. Was TL tombstoned or did she pass away?

[The Straight Story]

18. As far as I know - both (nt)

[Arctic Dave]

19. That really sucks. :(