I knew this was coming, though I wasn’t sure when. Well, it dropped today.
Todd Crapper of Emerald Press has dedicated their newest product, The Key of the Fey, a D&D 4th Edition adventure, to the memory of my mom.
You can see the dedication on the preview available at the product page, which I have expanded here (click to enlarge):
So what’s the story?
There was a phrase my Mom used all the time. It was like a mantra, and I don’t know about my sisters, but it got etched in my mind as a clear message of how Life works and how we should live it.
“Lo mejor que hizo Dios fue un dia despues del otro.”
(The best thing G-d made was one day after the other.)
Sunrise on South Beach, by Daniel M. Perez
It’s all about letting time pass and being open to the healing it brings.
Cancer and death are two topics that have been on my mind prominently recently. Starting last week with the weekly episode of Grey’s Anatomy, which brought to mind both my deceased parents, continuing to a realization–and vocalization (to my wife in person, and on my blog on Mother’s Day for a short period of time before I deleted for the time being)–of the true theme of my game in progress, to Mother’s Day and lastly to the events of last night and today for someone whom I only know via online circles, but whose story I’ve been following for a year or so. To say that my thoughts have been on the heavy side would be a gross understatement.
This is going to get long and a bit emotional, in case you don’t feel like reading any further…
Fellow RPG Blogger VulcanStev (Steve Nibbelink) is going through a really tough time. His wife, Virginia, has very advanced cancer and is currently hospitalized, soon to enter hospice. Steve and Virginia have been married for 22 years and are parents to 3 children. You can read Steve’s own posts and updates on his blog:
http://vulcanstev.wordpress.com/category/mrs-vulcan-stevs-fight/
Last year, while I was away in Puerto Rico attending to my Mom, who was also dying of cancer, a lot of friends and friends-I’ve-never-met-in-person chipped-in to help out with whatever cash they could. Aside from the warm feeling of knowing so many people cared, I cannot tell you how helpful that money came in. Caring for a person with cancer takes a toll on everyone and everything, and a few extra bucks can mean a world of difference.
Last year folks helped me. Today, I am pledging my help to Steve, and asking all those who can to chip in whatever they can. Click on the ChipIn button and follow the instructions.
http://vulcanstev.chipin.com/vulcanstev-solidarity-fund
I’ve set it up for 2 weeks collection time so we can get this over to Steve as soon as possible. Also, spread the word among your networks.
Thanks for for reading, for helping, and above all, for keeping a human being in need of support in your mind, heart and prayers.?
I got this message this morning from Chabad.org, and it impacted me. Over the past few days the thought of cancer has been firmly on my mind, between Mother’s Day, my game in progress, and news from a few people I follow on Twitter who are going through their own ordeals at the moment and whom I wish them strength. This message speaks to all of this:
Inexplicable Justice
By Tzvi Freeman
Not all suffering can be explained. There is pain, sometimes, that is not punishment and not repair.
True, we were given Torah, a G-dly wisdom containing the secrets of all things. But concerning these things even Moses asked and was told to be quiet, to cease to ask. Because there are some things that even G-dly wisdom does not explain. Because they cannot be explained.
We can only know that whatever happens is from G-d, that G-d is just, and that He does not desire suffering.
But until the end of days, we will have to suffer the ‘why’.
I can’t claim to understand all of it. I can’t claim to say I’m fine with it all the time. But I accept it. I accept it because I do believe that all that happens is G-d’s doing and that ultimately it is all for good, even if my limited understanding is not enough to see how. I rage against the dying of the light, but in the end I let the light go as is His will.
To those who are going through their own ordeals, maybe this will give you some measure of strength. Maybe not. But it is something that we should keep in mind all the time.
Gam zu l’tovah. This is also for good.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Wherever you are. I love you and miss you.
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