To honor Andy

[VelmaD]

It was a year ago right about this time that I had my last coherent conversation with Andy. He wasn't 100 percent lucid, the strokes were already starting to do a number on him, but he could still talk and he was still...Andy. I'm not really sure what all we talked about but I remember the last thing he said to me. He told me he loved me and I told him I loved him back. Andy ended every phone call with that...it just seemed so easy for him to tell the people he loved that he loved them. :)

I try very hard to remember that phone call instead of the one later that night right before he passed on. :cry:

I figure there are going to be several threads today about Andy and I'm not going to be here for them. I just can't. I still miss him like a stone in my heart...there's this hole in my life where he used to be that I don't ever think will get filled back up.

So, I'm distracting myself. My 7 year old nephew is coming for a visit. Andy adored that boy. When he was sick, he'd ask me sometimes to just talk about nothing. I guess he needed the distraction. :) So I was babbling one day about my family and was laughing with him about how my nephew and his parents had just moved and how amazed everyone was that the kid had managed to move his piggy bank without anyone ever seeing where he hid it. He loves dollar bills and he hoards them to buy little things with for himself.

Well, Andy reached into his pants pocket, pulled out 2 dollar bills, and browbeat my parents' address out of me so he could mail them to my nephew. That's who Andy was. The man was waiting to find out if he was going to be able to have potentially life-saving surgery and he stopped to think about making one little boy he hadn't even met smile. For those of you who never had the good fortune to meet Andy...he was just like that...always ready to do the little things that brighten up another person's life. So generous. He was one of the best people I have ever known and I figure the best way I can honor his memory today (and every day) is to spend time with people I love and try to bring that same joy to other people. Yes, we all need to carry on his work to make sure our votes are counted accurately. And yes, we all need to fight to make sure no one else EVER has to raise money on the internet to get health care. But Andy was about more than just that. He was a caring, compassionate, sweet, funny, fabulous man with the biggest laugh you'd ever hear and a heart big enough for everyone. And I hope everyone Andy knew and touched can find some way today to honor that.

So, I said this at Andy's memorial service and it bears repeating today. Tell the people you love that you love them. You never know...you might not get another chance.

[wicket]

1. Thank-you very much for sharing

I love you!!! :hug: :)

Andy was a true gem. And he is greatly missed :cry:

[VelmaD]

2. Thanks

Hugs are about the best thing in the world. Everybody say it loud and proud today...I love you. :hug:

[stellanoir]

3. I never had the privilage of meeting him in person

but we had some really funny interactions here. It's odd how the personalities of certain individuals is palpably detectable even on a silly message board to varying degrees. He loomed large and ever pleasantly so.

I've a couple funny stories to tell about our interactions but I've not the time to type about them now. Perhaps later.

But the thing I cherish about his memory is that he always kept his humor despite all the indignities he endured.

So whenever I'm up against the fury of the injustice of what's happened to our former democracy, or whenever I'm up against personal hassles of which I've had far too many of late. I remember his humor and indomitable spirit with which he approached his life. He will forever be a profound inspiration to me.

[VelmaD]

5. You are SO right...

about how something fundamental about who he was just came through...even on the internet. And his ability to keep smiling was amazing. Whenever I get really down...I try to think about him answering the phone bellowing like Ethel Merman and then cackling like a madman. :)

[benburch]

4. I miss him terribly.

http://www.AndyThanksYou.com/

[VelmaD]

6. I know

This is a hard day. :hug:

Thank you, though, for putting that site back up.

[VolcanoJen]

18. Damn, Ben.

:cry:

[Radio_Lady]

19. Thanks, benburch. He had such an open happy face and a great smile!

I didn't know the red-headed baby some folks used in their signatures -- was Andy. I should have known.

What happened to the little dog Ballot? That's one beautiful pooch!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

PS. Andy, I hardly knew you. But I remember you posted one day that you were afraid to die. I am, too. I hope you found it wasn't too bad. Maybe there's an afterlife, and if so, you deserved a happier place more than many people I know.

[EFerrari]

23. I know.

http://www.AndyThanksYou.com/

[EFerrari]

7. I wish someone with a tape of the service would pm me.

I've never seen it and think I'd like to see it now. Be happy to pick up the expense of duping and mailing.

You are right on as always, VelmaD. Tell people you love that you love them. It matters, it matters big.

:loveya:

[VelmaD]

8. Hey you

I dunno who filmed the service, but if you hear from someone about it would you pass the info on to me. I'd like a copy as well. The eulogies were lovely and stories about Andy were wonderful. I wish you could have been there. I could have given you this in person...:hug:

[EFerrari]

9. I couldn't move to get to the airport that day. I'm in awe

that you all could. One of these times. :)

I think goodboy and perhaps your buddy may have a copy.

:hug:

[VelmaD]

12. You should poke them...

and then I can poke them too. And maybe they'll send us a copy to make us stop. :evilgrin:

[EFerrari]

13. I love the way your mind just does that.

:evilgrin:

[VelmaD]

14. It's a gift

;)

And thanks for one of the first giggles I've managed today. :)

[EFerrari]

20. So, I poked them. Now, it's your turn.

And I see your giggle and raise you a chuckle.

[VelmaD]

26. Done...

and done.

[merh]

16. If the poking is successful and you get a copy of the tape,

keep me in mind please.

Love ya, you know that :hug:


miss ya Andy :loveya:

[EFerrari]

21. I will let you know immediately. Don't want to bother Termite today

but I know there are copies out there.

I hope you are taking care of yourself, Miz Merh.


miss you, AndyAndyBoBandy.

[benburch]

22. If anybody gets the tape, send me a copy, please.

I'll get it made into a quicktime and put up on the site.

[EFerrari]

25. Will do! n/t

[Rex]

10. Wonderful post. K&R

I replied to Andy's posts & threads, but never actually talked to him. I consider you lucky for getting to. Sounds like Andy was a guy who loved people and took pleasure in making someones day.

The good die young. :cry:

RIP Andy.

[VelmaD]

11. I consider myself pretty lucky, too

Andy loved the people here on DU. And I know he enjoyed talking to all the people who responded to his posts. :hug:

[EFerrari]

15. People say "Soandso is irrepressible!" and usually

that's an overstatement.

Andy really was.

lol



/oops

[Rex]

24. It's hard to lose someone so full of life and love.

thanks for the pic sfexpat2000. It's true what they say about dogs and their owners - they look alike! I see so much hope in Andy's eyes; dam I gotta get out of here and go do something before I start bawling like a baby! BBL.

To all of you :hug:

[EFerrari]

33. To you, Rex

Thank you.

:hug:

[merh]

17. thank you, VelmaD

Andy would smile at this, you spreading his favorite message. :hug:

[VelmaD]

27. I hope he's looking down and smiling

Actually, I've kind of an eventful couple of days and it makes me smile to think he's looking down at me and laughing that big belly laugh. :) :hug:

[Fovea]

28. I never met Andy f2f

but damn do I miss him!

[VelmaD]

29. I only got to see him in person twice...

and it sure wish it had been more. Everyone gets one today...:hug: :)

[Generic Other]

30. A beautiful tribute

to a sad day.

[benburch]

31. :-)

Being remembered was what he most wanted.

[VelmaD]

32. Thank you...

for the kind words. :hug:

And what ben said...I just had to make sure Andy was remembered today...not just as an activist, but as the amazing person he was.

[bigwillq]

34. What a beautiful post.

Thanks for sharing. :hug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

35. Aw, Velma, I know how you feel....

:hug:

Andy loved telling the people he loved that he loved them. He was a gift to humanity.

[Nothing Without Hope]

36. Thank you for this, VelmaD. I do suggest that you watch Symbolman's

beautiful, moving, very positive video memorial to Andy, posted again today one year after he made it. He wrote and performed the music for it too. I do believe you will be glad to have seen it now. The link to it is in the opening post of this current thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1588639
thread title: My Flash Memorial to Andy on the Anniversary of his Passing

Now, as my last DU act of the night, I'll go post a link to your post in that thread. It's a time for sharing. :grouphug: