I never knew your father. I didn’t know the man that is now revered here as a best friend, and comrade in war against Ignorance. when I first started here, I saw some Referances to Wally, but really paid no attention. then this last September, I did a search on Wally. I found some of his old threads, and I read his wit, his joy, and his stories. I have came to a conclusion that you father was one of the best men that have ever lived. I read your above post, and I, before posting this reply, had to wipe tears off of my keyboard. I never met your dad, nor did I ever converse with him. but through “Wallified sigs” and his past posts, I have came to respect your father with utmost. I think I speak for all when I say that Wally has been, and Will allways be missed.
Y’know, in my mind, “SDMB” and “Wally” go hand-in-hand. I’ve never heard tell of a man with so much wit, humor, and charisma. He embraced everyone gladly, and you could feel his grin just by reading his posts.
Happy New Year. Let’s make Wally proud of us. [glances up] We’re doing our best down here, sir!
Amy, I never knew you or your father, but I can tell you that he will never be forgotten, and neither are you. Many times, someone has posted a “I wonder how Amy and the rest of Wally’s family are doing?” type of thing. I hope you get a chance to check out the People Pages and see what a wonderful memorial page Shayna created for your dad. It’s very moving. I’m glad you and your family are coming to feel better about life again. I hope 2001 treats you all well.
I have thought of you and your family often. I’m happy to hear you are all doing well. Thanks for thinking about the people here and please don’t be a stranger.
You’ve got a home on the Internet here if you want it, Amy.
And I join those who’ve said I think about your Dad often, and his loss is still felt here.
Thank you for this message. It was good to read.
(For your information, I and a few other posters on the SDMB remember Wally with the number ‘3124’ in our signatures. It was his final number of posts here - well, until some system modifications screwed up the tally.)
I’m so glad to hear from you, Amy. In all honesty not a week goes by, and few days, when I don’t think about your family and your dad. I’m still getting used to being a mod, but it’s bittersweet because I keep thinking, “Wally would have gotten such a hoot out of this!” It’s amazing how deeply he’s still missed, by so many people in so many ways. I still can’t see his picture on the People Pages w/o tearing up.
The “comparison shopping” comment is soooo Wally! He’d be proud to button-popping of you. He’d also have a few pungent, true and funny remarks–involving the word putz–to describe any idiot who’d break up over the phone and under those circumstances. Good riddance to road apples.
It’s great that your mom found work as a way to make it through the pain. Sometimes a complete change and staying busy is the best way to get through the days until life heals up some. You and your brother come from fine folks, and Wally was convinced–rightfully–that you hung the moon and the stars, with the planets tossed in for good measure.
All comfort, affection and good wishes are being beamed right back at you still and always. (So surreal; I’ve never “met” any of you but you’re still so real and immediate.) This had to have been tough for you to write, but I hope you’re finding some peace in how much Wally was loved.
Veb
P.S. Give a The Tale a whirl anyway if you want. Bet you’d do it up a treat. You’re a chip offa the old puke-green motorcycle.:::fond, if watery, laugh and a firm hug:::
sure, you hear it all the time, blah, blah, blah, but you ain’t heard it from me yet. Your da has been (& continues to be) an inspiration for a not inconsiderable population. There are dark days when I’m ready to give up on the whole species, mkay?
But, if some slimemold can pull itself out of the primordial ooze & make a Wally, I’m willing to contain my misdirected rage. He made the world a better place.
I will not torment the cat. I will not kick an immoveable object. I will raise a virtual toast to our virtual host, the ghost in the machine, the man himself.
Amy, Happy New Year to all y’all too. Your Dad crops up in my thoughts often, usually at moments that want for a lucid, cut-through-it all observation. What a rare soul…
The best to you, Amy & family, and know that the whole panoply of all attuned to this space wish you all the all that can be wished.
I starting reading this board a few days after Wally’s passing. I’ve been on a number of message boards over the years and they all have some posters who are highly regarded, but Wally’s popularity here was was truly amazing. After reading his memorial page and every Wally thread I could find, it’s easy to understand how he came to be so well-liked and highly regarded. I’ve had tears in my eyes many times for this man I never knew and his family and friends, most recently about 30 seconds ago. I had hoped that you would stop by here again sometime, although I doubted it. What I really would like to say to you is that, although you may not have felt like it very often over the past few months, you are extremely lucky. Lucky to have Wally for a father and to have had the time with him that you did, although we all wish it could have been much, much longer.
Are you kidding me? He would never have let me live it down
I could just see it now.
“Call yourself a moderator? Sheesh. I have ulcers older than you. Now shine my shoes, kiddo.”
Amy, reading your story was touching, painful, and moving. I don’t think I’ll ever miss someone, that I never met face to face, so much. Your dad was without a doubt one of the funniest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. But he was much more than just funny.
For one thing, he was a damn good father, judging by your contributions to these boards. It must have taken a lot of courage and pain to type out this message, Amy. You’re a very brave girl, and there’s no doubt in my mind that your father would have been proud beyond belief.
I know I am.
Happy New Year to Amy, Steve, Mom, and Wally - wherever you are, mate.
Thank you for finding the courage to post that. I have often wondered about y’all, and am glad you are doing as well as can be expected. Please know that should you ever need anything, you just need to call on me. And thank you all for sharing Wally with us. We were truly blessed.
