A hard post to write

[chuckro]

Robbie Greenberger passed away last night; complications from the leukemia he's been fighting the last eight months.

We don't have details on the funeral yet. If I haven't spoken to you directly and you'd like details when I get them, let me know.

I'd like to do something for them (besides the food and desserts I'm going to bring them), like a memorial or a scholarship fund. If anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears.

I have a lot of thoughts in my head relating to this, most of which aren't productive. (A bunch of them decided to have a party at 4am last night. Good times.) I remember the last time I saw him, at our specially-timed Geekover celebration a few months ago: He wore the turban my mother had gotten him in India, and showed off the tubes they'd put in for his chemo, and ate like he always could. And was so alive. I remember the game of Munchkin we played that night, when it came down to all of us in a pretty decent position to win and his turn. I had a card out that (effectively) could let me gain a winning level on someone else's turn, if they requested my assistance in a battle. Robbie probably could have pulled a solo win, but he turned to me and said, "Hey Chuckie, wanna both win?" Which we did.

I was thinking back to the first time jethrien met him, the summer after my junior year of college. Six years ago. He was 14. And he fit in just fine with a crew of my college friends. Hell, he fit in just fine with everybody. Kid just had a social knack.

I remember teaching him to play Magic: The Gathering and helping build a slow-and-steady damage deck (that we named "Nibbling Ducks"). I remember years and years of Thanksgivings and family gatherings. I remember him at my wedding, probably the biggest fan of my top-hat-and-tails attire, talking about doing it himself but possibly adding a formal kilt. I remember a series of I-Cons where he managed to have a girl on his arm (at an SF con! I mean, seriously! I only started getting girls to come to I-Con around the same time, and I had a 7-year head start!)

And then I thought about some lyrics from Wicked. And that's when I lost it.
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

Comments

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

::hugs fiercely:: I'm so, so sorry. That's totally inadequate, but it's all I can do right now. I've let jethrien know, but anything you guys need, we're good to provide. General silliness and distraction are just some of the services we offer.

If you're thinking of doing something for him, perhaps a tree-planting in his hometown? Maybe more--you could donate whole forests if you put together more. Maybe donate to a fund that supports science-fiction/fantasy writers? Help keep more of them attending workshops? Maybe add his name to a panel at I-Con, have it be a tradition there? I'm sorry I didn't know him better to make more personally-specific suggestions, but I think it's brilliant that you would think of something like this. If nothing else, you've already done good to his name and probably saved lives by making people aware of the great need to register and get typed for bone marrow donation. It's a positive step you've taken, inspired by your friend, and that's a very loving tribute.

::hugs again:: I am so sorry.

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

mabfan mentioned it this morning too, and in a public post.

So, so sad. I only met Robbie about once, must have been at Lunacon several years ago (he was about 13 at the time IIRC), but he was a sweet kid and I've been following the saga. Sad.

[ecmyers.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. We're thinking of all of you, and if there's anything we can do, say the word. I don't think I ever met him, but it sounds like I missed out.

[xannoside.livejournal.com]

Gimme a call any time you need to.

[hyouneko.livejournal.com]

If there's anything I can do, just let me know.