Hi community,
So here is a very sad story for those who have friends they've made online. Yesterday, someone who I have never met face to face, lost his mum. She was hit by a car while biking, something she had done for 50+ years. I am hoping to show this thread to my online friend once he decides to come back and let him know he has some support, even though we have never met. So this is for a fellow guardian, who has done a lot for the community, my friends and I. I left his psn tag out but maybe he'll feel like stopping by when the time is right. So let me share a few things.
Here we go.
In the early days of destiny, my two friends and I were just learning the basics. We mostly liked to pvp but wanted to get our hands on some sweet loot in the Vault of Glass. So I headed to a popular site and typed "need 3 more for VoG - first attempt." What I quickly realized was there was a dude in almost every other thread saying he's down. I thought "hey this guy really needs a group, he's probably bad though" but whatever, we were despite. We picked him up and two others.
The run went flawlessly. He was, in fact, a sherpa and showed us the ropes. It is also worth mentioning that he's Dutch and sounds a lot like Arnie. So we spent literally 45 minutes in tears. This guy was a legend. When I asked if it was the 3rd time he's done the raid this week he replied, modestly, that he has completed it like 8 or so times and he just likes to help out. And that's precisely what kind of person he is. Every week he goes above and beyond for people on his friends list - often running raids countless times to outfit his friends. He's also a collector so (for some reason) he has 7 maxed gallys like some sort of trophy. I don't get it but he's Dutch and I guess they like that sort of thing. Honestly it's something that he really earned, if I had to guess he's probably at over 200 raid completions.
After our run, we added the three to our friends list - where we continue to play with them today. The guys we met on that run have been everywhere with us, including the lighthouse 10 or so times and through countless raid completions. There isn't a day that goes by when two+ of us aren't playing together. Even got to know some of his Dutch friends - who are awesome and helpful as well.
So yesterday we were sitting in a chat room and our friend comes in. He tells us the awful news and that he wouldn't be around for a couple days at least. My heart just broke. The 5 of us just sat there, barely grasping at words. I myself have gone through it when I lost my mum at 17 but the experience still never gives you the right words. I couldn't believe it - someone so cheerful, who I've played with almost every day, was actually devastated.
It's weird because we have never met and play from the opposite side of the globe but holy -blam!-, do I feel for him. You think that he's your online chum and that the most you have in common is that you like to game. However, gaming with someone for 6/7 months you sort of get attached and start to learn about their everyday lives and what they've been up to and what type of person they are. I'll say it again - this guy is a legend and he's down.
It takes a real special kind of lady to raise a guardian this good. Someone who is kind, treats noobies with respect, and is always willing to help out. I don't think there is anything I can really do for him but I think just knowing that he has some support and a place to forget the daily grind may just help a little.
Hell, I'm not even sure why I'm writing this. Maybe it's strangely therapeutic for me. It just hit me hard.
So sound off guardians. Share something about your online buds or an experience you had with someone awesome. I know he'd appreciate your support. I'll be showing him this topic when he's back and hopefully it will get some replies. Help him to his feet.
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Shit, that sucks, lad. Tell your mate that I feel for him.