Two more friends have died recently, and I've not been handling it as well.

Hello, all. It's been a while since I have posted here. Two more friends of mine have died recently: Jessica Jo Goodmanson/Seon Ja Kim (Born February 2, 1985, Adopted June 13, 1985 - Died April 11, 2017) and Jason Alexander Ritenour (April 30, 1985 - April 30, 2017). These two people were great people, and with all of the things that have been going on, I ended up reverting to some habits and hiding in a computer game and not being able to sleep much. Though I kept up with other aspects of my life (committee meetings, work, friends), I ended up not being able to keep up with this or some new projects that I had started.

Seon was one of the few people who knew the most about me. She was one of the people whom I would have late-night conversations with about what was really going on in our lives, the deep subjects that would delve deeper with full introspection. She was non-judgmental, understood what I was talking about, and was truly unique.

Jason was one of the kindest, gentlest people whom I ever had known. He was kind to me when I was undergoing life changes. But that was Jason - many, many people have been touched by his insurmountable charm and his wonderful puns. So many gathered to share the love that he put into the world. I'm finally past the point waking up and hoping that it was just a horrible nightmare, but it's still difficult.

Jessica Jo Goodmanson
Jason Alexander Ritenour

I find that I am still not able to properly write about either of these fine folks. They are sorely missed.

Two friends have both died recently.

I wanted to post this much earlier, but things have been tough. Two friends have died recently: Robert L. Gartner (September 10, 1944 - January 3, 2017) and Michael A. Cucchiarella (January 19, 1958 - February 13, 2017). 

Both of these men are people who are held in the highest esteem, and their passing has left a giant hole the hearts of those who knew them. I met both of them through the Royal Manticoran Navy, and I am glad to have been able to have spent what time with them that we were given. I will miss their friendship, their willingness to help, their dedication to being involved in our activities. Not just the conventions and the charities that we support, but in the social aspects - getting together for celebrations and to hang out. Trading stories and hearing jokes, sharing in their knowledge and experiences.

Robert L. Gartner
Michael A. Cucchiarella

So long, friends.