TheDoctor

Hey Jeff. Finally managed to make a donation but it went through as anonimous for some reason! But glad I was finally able to help ease Momicality's load if only by a little.

Jeff can let it run a bit longer before doing the cheque. I'm trying to add a donation but for some reason it didn't go through. Will try again tomorrow.

As soon as my cheque clears next week I will be making a donation to help his mum.

Remembering Comicality I’ve been trying to put something into words for days now and not being the consummate writer Com was it’s taken me a bit, especially as this was something I never thought I’d have to do….. at least not for several more decades. Like many of us old time “Shackers” I came across Com’s stories on Nifty, way back when we all had dial up modems, and Com was using his WebTV! But only started talking to him in 1999 while I was, ironically, recovering from being in hospital as I too nearly died. It started by my email saying how I was enjoying New Kid in School like so many of us and how it was keeping me occupied during my recovery. I was stunned when I got a reply from him less than 24 hours later, and not just a short email either! Since that day we stayed in regular contact either by email or as some will remember in the chat room on IRC, and even by written correspondence. Hehe, those group chats were always a lively affair, and he always was happy to see us in there with him. We had some deep conversations me and him over the years. (I’ve kept every single email, letter, card he sent) I remember in the early days as his popularity grew he was getting allot of “hate mail” and in one email to me he said “Dom I don’t think I can do this anymore, it hurts too much, all I want to do is make people smile but they just keep pulling me down” He was going to give it 6 months. Fortunately, with encouragement he carried on, and what a legacy he went on to create! One of our best conversations was over his and my love of drawing cartoons, but sadly he didn’t have many from his younger years because his dad destroyed them. So, I sent him some of the ones I had done when I was a kid, Thunder Cats and Roger Rabbit. When he had to move to Georgia, he still had them! He became a true friend; one I could confide in and most of all never get judged. Now that’s not to say he didn’t give me his opinions, and infuriatingly he was usual right! AND we kissed once! Hehe. His words not mine! One year he sent me a Christmas card which was in an envelope within an envelope, which to begin with I though was a bit odd until I pulled it out. Right in the middle he had drawn a circle and under it was a smiley face and the words “Kiss here, I did!” ….. So, obviously I did. When he asked did I kiss the same spot he said we had technically kissed! Typical Com always goofy! But that was Com, he never judged anyone. Always looked to see the best in people, encourage them, lend an ear and try to make everyone smile, even when he wasn’t able himself. Again, it hurt him deeply every time he felt he hadn’t been able to help someone, when the truth is he was in more need of it than most of us. I think one of the other things that bugged him was with popularity meant he couldn’t speak to everyone as often as he wanted, but he would always make as much effort as he could which resulted in allot of sleepless nights trying to catch up on emails and the like which couldn’t have been healthy! Com and I were the same age. Him being the elder by 1 month and 1 day! We had planned to meet up for our 40th when I was going to be in Chicago but sadly and again ironically, he had to go visit the family down south, we had discussed trying again for our 50th next year. He gave me a whole catalogue of must-see things including his beloved Navy Pier which he said I “HAD” to see, which I did. I might still try and go back next year, but it will be bittersweet if I can. When first writing this I had by the end of the first session nearly 6 pages! But even that doesn’t seem long enough. I mean how can you fit 25 years of friendship into words and do Comsie justice? It’s so very unfair that someone who gave so much, so selflessly has been cut short so early. He had such a tough life personally, not just with money but a tough childhood with a father that beat him and tried to break him down. Though I do honestly believe that because of those things it inspired him to be a force for others. I don’t think even at the end he truly realised what a huge legacy he had crafted, how much he impacted on so many lives. There is so much more I want to say about my friend, but I think I’ll leave it here for now. Plus, if it’s too long Jeff and the Imagine team will be cursing me out! Hehe So, I will end with this; Com you were one of my truest friends, you deserved better and more, but you achieved much to be proud of. I will miss you terribly, but will remember you fondly……. Always. Rest easy bud!

Remembering Comicality I’ve been trying to put something into words for days now and not being the consummate writer Com was it’s taken me a bit, especially as this was something I never thought I’d have to do….. at least not for several more decades. Like many of us old time “Shackers” I came across Com’s stories on Nifty, way back when we all had dial up modems, and Com was using his WebTV! But only started talking to him in 1999 while I was, ironically, recovering from being in hospital as I too nearly died. It started by my email saying how I was enjoying New Kid in School like so many of us and how it was keeping me occupied during my recovery. I was stunned when I got a reply from him less than 24 hours later, and not just a short email either! Since that day we stayed in regular contact either by email or as some will remember in the chat room on IRC, and even by written correspondence. Hehe, those group chats were always a lively affair, and he always was happy to see us in there with him. We had some deep conversations me and him over the years. (I’ve kept every single email, letter, card he sent) I remember in the early days as his popularity grew he was getting allot of “hate mail” and in one email to me he said “Dom I don’t think I can do this anymore, it hurts too much, all I want to do is make people smile but they just keep pulling me down” He was going to give it 6 months. Fortunately, with encouragement he carried on, and what a legacy he went on to create! One of our best conversations was over his and my love of drawing cartoons, but sadly he didn’t have many from his younger years because his dad destroyed them. So, I sent him some of the ones I had done when I was a kid, Thunder Cats and Roger Rabbit. When he had to move to Georgia, he still had them! He became a true friend; one I could confide in and most of all never get judged. Now that’s not to say he didn’t give me his opinions, and infuriatingly he was usual right! AND we kissed once! Hehe. His words not mine! One year he sent me a Christmas card which was in an envelope within an envelope, which to begin with I though was a bit odd until I pulled it out. Right in the middle he had drawn a circle and under it was a smiley face and the words “Kiss here, I did!” ….. So, obviously I did. When he asked did I kiss the same spot he said we had technically kissed! Typical Com always goofy! But that was Com, he never judged anyone. Always looked to see the best in people, encourage them, lend an ear and try to make everyone smile, even when he wasn’t able himself. Again, it hurt him deeply every time he felt he hadn’t been able to help someone, when the truth is he was in more need of it than most of us. I think one of the other things that bugged him was with popularity meant he couldn’t speak to everyone as often as he wanted, but he would always make as much effort as he could which resulted in allot of sleepless nights trying to catch up on emails and the like which couldn’t have been healthy! Com and I were the same age. Him being the elder by 1 month and 1 day! We had planned to meet up for our 40th when I was going to be in Chicago but sadly and again ironically, he had to go visit the family down south, we had discussed trying again for our 50th next year. He gave me a whole catalogue of must-see things including his beloved Navy Pier which he said I “HAD” to see, which I did. I might still try and go back next year, but it will be bittersweet if I can. When first writing this I had by the end of the first session nearly 6 pages! But even that doesn’t seem long enough. I mean how can you fit 25 years of friendship into words and do Comsie justice? It’s so very unfair that someone who gave so much, so selflessly has been cut short so early. He had such a tough life personally, not just with money but a tough childhood with a father that beat him and tried to break him down. Though I do honestly believe that because of those things it inspired him to be a force for others. I don’t think even at the end he truly realised what a huge legacy he had crafted, how much he impacted on so many lives. There is so much more I want to say about my friend, but I think I’ll leave it here for now. Plus, if it’s too long Jeff and the Imagine team will be cursing me out! Hehe So, I will end with this; Com you were one of my truest friends, you deserved better and more, but you achieved much to be proud of. I will miss you terribly, but will remember you fondly……. Always. Rest easy bud!

@StoriesByCirrus That was incredibly beautiful tribute to Com. I too have been trying to put into words how he meant to me but not being the writer you or he is it's taking me a while! I too came across him on Nifty and like you have been penpals with him since almost the beginning. He was the first person I told I was gay and when I was panicing to tell my family he gave me the confidence to do it. He and I are/were same age only 1 month apart... him 2nd May me 3rd June. He always did his best to stay upbeat for everyone and take the time to try and make everyone smile, even though most of us knew his private life could be such a struggle. It's a cliche but in Com's case very true, only the good die young, I will miss him terribly but remember him fondly always. Rest easy Com!

Hi I'm Dom, new here but not to Comicality's site.