The thing I fear the most is to forgotten - Let's remember

[merh]

Andy_Stephenson
Fri May-20-05 09:14 PM
76. I think the thing I fear the most...
is being forgotten. Who will remember me? It is the fact I will be gone and forgotten...worm food. That is what makes this the hardest thing to face.

Andy_Stephenson
Fri May-20-05 09:25 PM Response to Reply #78
83. Ok let me see
I can think of about 10 people right off the bat.
all family...then there are several here at DU I know would be there...OK I guess there are people that would remember me. But the essence of me...the spark that makes me me...once I am gone is lost forever...Who has the essence of me captured? I should have written a book...but alas I am not the great a writer...I know my limitations...but I should have written one.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=3293666

Andy didn't want to be forgotten, he wanted his efforts to matter and he wanted "the essence of me ... the spark that makes me me ..." to be remembered.

If you want to share, this is the thread for you. Please use this thread to remember Andy today on the anniversary of his death. Remember him and all that he meant to you or to the election reform movement or to activism in general. Let's not let his passing bring us sorrow, let us celebrate his life and use the example of his life to try to make things a little better for others, whether it be our work towards Voter Verified Paper Ballots or Universal Health Care.

Smile and remember the essence, the spark, the love, the man. Celebrate his life and in turn, celebrate your own lifes.

Post your favorite photo, your best story, your favorite Andyism here!

Celebrate his life and don't forget him, give him the legacy he so wanted, the greatest legacy for any human being is the love of friends! :grouphug:

For Andy and for each other - remember and celebrate the love. :loveya:

[SharonRB]

1. I never had the pleasure of meeting Andy, but

I will always remember him from his posts, stories from others and his tireless work to expose election fraud.

I'm sorry I never met him in person.

May he be resting in peace.

[Redstone]

2. He won't be forgotten for a long, long time. Especially as long as

there are DUers such as yourself and a few others who provide reminders.

Redstone

[EFerrari]

7. Oh, please. You're encouraging her.

:)

[Redstone]

8. Yes, her. And you. And the others.

Redstone

[EFerrari]

9. merh has been quiet because since the Scamdies,

our ability to help people has been mostly shut DOWN.

Who do we have in the Katrina disaster zone? Merh! Swamp Rat! uppityperson! Geeze, a BUNCH of Duers.

And WTF are we doing about it? Hmm?

I don't want to shred Skinner's last bit of patience but ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

How hard would it be to organize something from here?

Okay, I'll go back into the shoe box now.

I love you, Redstone. And you can deny that at every op without any penalty.

lol

:silly:

[Redstone]

11. Why would I want to deny that? Thank you. And thank you for your

strong words about the forgotten Americans of Katrina.

Redstone

[annabanana]

3. It was tough to read that thread again..

but I'm glad I did. Andy IS remembered. He will always be remembered when the story of the rebirth of America is told.

[KoKo]

4. Andy won't be forgotten and neither will DU's Kephra (Kef) because

they were the essense of activism for voting rights (Andy) and the information gatherering (Kef) who kept us here on DU going in those days when we were so small with so little help out there except on the Internet.

Those of us that you guys who were good friends with them might not know about will always remember them. It was the beginning of a new Democratic Movement and those who were in the trenches first will never be forgotten.

Thanks for the post Merh. :-)'s

[blm]

5. I had all my PMs from Andy and kef saved and would revisit them

every now and then.

My mac had a problem about 5 months ago and I lost everything. But, I still feel sometimes they are here with me - and I miss them like crazy.

[EFerrari]

6. Thank you, merh! You were a hero during Andy's struggle

and then, you had to deal with Katrina. DU doesn't even BEGIN to know what you have been through.

And yet, you are here today, helping, shoring us up.

Thank you, my sister, from the bottom of my heart.

((((((((((((((((((((((merh))))))))))))))))))))

[merh]

15. (((( sfexpat2000 )))))

:hug: :loveya:

[Melissa G]

10. I remember Andy Jovial, I remember Andy kicking butt, I remember

Andy scared and confused, without a job and then later officially sick. I remember how he joked through most of it. Lots of courage there.
I remember his friends on DU pulling together to get him work, find him money and get him into the hospital to try to save his life. I remember his friends love and care for him.
I know he is alive in their hearts and in the work that those friends keep doing everyday.

Rest in Peace, Andy. Your Friends remember you and still have your back on what matters to you.
Rest in peace...:toast: O8) :grouphug:

[BeFree]

18. Indeed

The actions of DUers was a most remarkable display of real humanity. The man was rich beyond imagination.

Now, lets make him proud of us. Lets get our elections back under some control: Paper, Please.

[Redstone]

12. Remembrances? I didn't know him, but I remember the twist I felt in

my gut when I saw the post from (damn, I don't remember who) that said something like "Andy's family wanted me to tell you that he's resting comfortably, and...(I forget the rest).

It was as if I had heard that a member of my family was "resting comfortably" (because we all know what that means). I knew it was close to the end.

Why did I have such a visceral reaction? Probably because even though I didn't know him personally, I had a damn good idea of what kind of guy he was, just by reading about him at DU.

I'd like to have known him. And just because I didn't, that doesn't mean I can't miss him.

It musst be tough for those of you who did know Andy, and you have my condolences.

Redstone

[merh]

13. thank you, Redstone

:hug:

[intheflow]

14. I didn't know Andy.

But I was well aware of his election reform work. Since I've gotten to know you, merh, and know how close you were to him, I'm saddened that I missed my chance to meet such a fine young man. His life was a testament to how we should all live our lives. I'm glad that Andy lives on in you. :hug:

[merh]

16. thank you for the love and support

and the kind words. :hug: :loveya:

[fooj]

17. I JUST saw this. What a beautiful memorial.

Yes. Celebrate his life...:loveya:

[Just Me]

19. I'll never forget him.

Never. He taught me a lot about people even though that wasn't his main objective.

I still "feel" him. He's free.

[In_The_Wind]

20. I'll never forget Andy.

I know his cell phone was turned off a long time ago but his name is still at the top of the list in my phonebook.

I believe that we never forget the ones who have touched our heart.

[demodonkey]

21. Paper Trails To You.......

Andy hated it when any one called a voter-verified paper ballot a "paper trail". He was a great little singer, and I will forever hear him singing this (to the tune of Roy Rogers' theme song) even in ICU at Johns Hopkins after his surgery... Thanks mehr, for the most productive thread I've seen around here in a long time.

:loveya:
for Andy, who loved floaty hearts

--------------

Some trails are happy trails
others not so fun
it's the way you use the trail that counts
rigging vote machines is fun


Paper trails to you,
So we can steal your vote

Paper trails to you,
we'll do it by remote

Cryptography's hipocracy it's secret
What we really wants a paper ballot

Paper trails to you
So you'll think you won.



Andy: 5/2/05 on Thom Hartmann chat room

Guys...
I want to tell you something
If God forbid I die...
Please please
remember
Do not accept paper trails or receipts for voting
we DEMAND a Voter Verified Paper Ballot
Otherwise all is lost

[Janice325]

22. I never met Andy.

I knew of him shortly after he was dismissed by "She Who Shall Remain Unnamed."
I mainly lurked here on DU, but gave some money when Andy became ill and followed the whole "story."
I don't think I can ever forget Andy, especially when I see troubleinwinter's wonderful avatar. :grouphug: to all of you taking the time to post here in remembrance of Andy.