Updated Andy Stephenson Photo Album Published.

[benburch]

http://www.AndyThanksYou.com/

[yellerpup]

1. My condolences to all at DU

for the loss of your dearly loved friend. I did not know him, but I knew he was a great person. DU will miss him. Love to you all.

[NMDemDist2]

2. what's going to happen to Ballot? will Andy's partner keep that sweet

puppy?

[TahitiNut]

3. Is Ballot paper-trained?

:silly:

(I couldn't help it. Really.)

[benburch]

4. I believe so. nt

[EFerrari]

5. I imagine Ballot won't get to be out of Termite's sight for

very long. :)

I'm trying to convince troubleinwinter to let us make her great image into a commemorative poster or shirt at cafepress

[helderheid]

6. our new mascott

[EFerrari]

7. Isn't it perfect?

troubleinwinter is an astonishing artist.

[all.of.me]

10. i love it!

i want a t-shirt. and a coffee cup. and a grocery bag. and a cap. and an apron. what else is there?! i want them all! i love this graphic! what a great memento.

[NMDemDist2]

13. good, I was trying to marshall my arguments to hubby on why we needed

a 4th dog!

[EFerrari]

14. LOL!

:rofl:

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. The baby picture is so damn CUTE!

Isn't it? The T-shirt nostamj is wearing, I have! Remember the ? (question W campaign?) It's a great memento and I'm so glad I bought it from him. Every time I wear it, I think of him and every time I see an evoting machine, I'll think of Andy. Thanks for posting this Ben.

[u4ic]

9. That man's smile

could sure light up a room.

[EFerrari]

20. "you gotta smile so bright, you know you coulda been a candle"

or level a city block.

:hug:

[all.of.me]

11. that was fun to look at! thanks, benburch!

[converted_democrat]

12. What a wonderful tribute.......n/t

[applegrove]

15. Yes - let's make his terrier our new mascot. That will mean updates

and photos of the little thing at regular intervals!

[applegrove]

16. Let's do it! Let vote on Ballot becoming the DU mascot! Whether

this will be a honorary role or involve Ballot at a few election transparency demonstrations either being led by leash or on signs... will be up to Ballot's family.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4065518&mesg_id=4065567

[goodboy]

17. kick!!! Nice job Mr. Burch! (nt)

[BeHereNow]

18. Thank you benburch...

The album is beautiful and especially wonderful to me.
You see, Andy and I never met face to face.
Our friendship started with a single phone call and I must tell
you that in that one call, I fell in love with a voice, whose
face I never got to see. My heart lit up everytime
my phone rang and I saw his number on my caller ID.
We spent hours talking about all sorts of things,
he was like a long lost relative that I could talk about
ANYTHING with, fears, hopes and everything in between.

I had invited him and his beloved to come and visit us
so that we could meet in person. I wanted to take them
to Dinseyland and all those places people go when they
come to California for a vacation. He was so beat down
at that point from the machinations of "she who will not be named,"
and I suggested he take a vacation and just have some FUN.

I was so looking forward to that visit, but it never happened.
Shortly after we began discussing it, Andy called and told
me something was wrong- that he didn't know what but that
he had turned jaundiced. He was very frightened as was I, for him.
My beautiful cousin died just weeks before Andy of pancreatic
cancer, he was 45. I recognized the symptoms but did not
think it possible that two people I loved so dearly could
possibly be hit at the same time by such a terrible disease.
You know the rest of the story.

The last message I got from him was,
"You should call me, I miss our talks."
I wrote to Andy and told him I didn't want
to invade his privacy and time with his family, and
asked him to call me at a convenient time for him.
We never did have that final talk.
Something I will regret forever.

I miss our talks too.

Thank you for the album benburch.
Looking at it helps ease the pain and longing for the beautiful voice
I will never hear light up my phone and life again.

BHN

[uppityperson]

19. Thank you benburch

thank you for continuing to post updates.

[expatriate]

21. Thanks, Ben - it's great ... but

I must say this. About the picture with the hat. The purple hat that looks sort of like a knitted helmet.

That's some BAAAAAD hat, Andy. I'm smiling for the first time since I heard about your passing. Thanks, Andy.

Thanks, Ben.

[benburch]

22. I took that as a sign that his ears were cold.

:)