Dear Mea Culpa, we hope you rest in peace

[janggut]

he is an incredible guy, TD @ Sinister. he is one of the few guys that can make me laugh in midst of sadness. there is never malice in his heart nor words. if he has doubts, it'll be whether he's done something wrong, never about putting the blame on the other person. a man who paints smile not only on himself but also on others, he's a true Aussie. & i am privileged to know him & to share laughter with him.

so if anyone who cares to have some fun in Comedy/Jokes section, when u laugh, remember Mea. when the jokes tickle u, remember Mea. i always imagine him with a very big grin & a bushy moustache on his lip. all smiles. & i smile thinking of him. i smile for him.

[killerzzz]

I saw the thread, and I didn't understand. I saw the post, and I couldn't believe it. Now, I still can barely believe it. I didn't get much a chance to know him well, but Mea was a real great guy to have around. I don't know what to say.

God speed him home.

Killerzzz

[Galadriel]

Remember, tomorrow at 10 am local time, it's Mea's Farewell.
For me it's 4 am in the morning, I'll be there in spirit and soul. Light a candle and lets be there to support Troy.

[tclark]

It's 10 AM Perth time which is GMT +8 hours.

I don't know if I can sleep tonight

[Galadriel]

tclark said:

It's 10 AM Perth time which is GMT +8 hours.

I don't know if I can sleep tonight

Me neither

[Alrik]

Hello, everyone,

I was just reading this a few minutes ago.

I'm very saddened, because Mea was such a nice and funny person. He was one of the few who could really draw pure joy from my dry humour, and I'll never forget him for that.

May you rest in Peace.

[Shan]

tclark said:

It's 10 AM Perth time which is GMT +8 hours.

I don't know if I can sleep tonight

i think alot of us will have a hard time sleeping.

you're not alone in this. we will all be there in spirit to help you get through.

*hugs troy*

[LaFille]

It should be near time for his ceremonies now if it isn't already; my thoughts are with you there. It's good to know that we could brighten his days, though; he did for mines too. His humor even in difficult times, nice and warm ways, doing good to others around, that's Mea for me too; a real paladine extraordinaire.

[Galadriel]

I couldn't sleep during the whole night, I was awake untill far after the farewell.

If all went good, Janggut's poem he wrote on Larian (wich I found the best one) will be read at the farewell and there will be a white rose from all of his friends on his coffin.
I hope everything went well and that Troy is dealing with his part of the grief.
Hang in there Troy!!

[Alrik]

I had set my alarm-clock, but was terribly tired (the farewell ceremony was 4 am local time if I understood it correctly).

So I have a high respect for any European who managed to stay awake at that time.

[tclark]

Well

Tom / Mea has had his Farewell

It was a good turnout. At least 30 people.

It started with Imagine by John Lennon as everyone sat down to get ready.

Then the Celebrant, Peter Ferguson started with a few words.

This was followed by Brett, a friend of Tom from the Fishy Affair giving a short speech about Tom.

Then it was my turn. I mentioned the names of those who emailed me and the CC and Larian Forums

I then read Jugguts poem and then the Farewell Speech of Bilbo Baggins at which point I almost couldn't continue to the end. But I felt Tom there and he helped me through.

Then was the time of reflection and people got to place roses on his resting place.

Then some more words from Peter and a prayer. Then Tom was guided by myself, Vishek (his boss from the Fishy Affair), Chris (My 2nd best friend) and Brett to the hearse. Then he was taken away to be cremated.

The Farewell Group then went to the Fishy Affair Restaurant where Tom worked. And I had to have a few drinks, my drink of choice being Scotch on the rocks.

1. For Tom
2. For Vishek
3. For CC Forum
4. For Larian Forum
5. NWN Friends
6. For myself

It put it bluntly.. I was well oiled by the end of it. I didn't spend a single moment without a drink in my hand. Luckily I am a big man and I ate some food as well.

No I did not dance on the table naked....

[Galadriel]

Looks like you did very well Troy, thanks for being there for Mea. You deserved a drink and thank you for reading Jang's poem, I know this would mean a lot to Jang.
I was there with you in spirit, I could feel the presence of all Mea's friends. I must have fallen asleep around 5 am my time, cause my hubby got up to go to work and he woke me up since I was crying soo much in my sleep.
Give my regards to Vishek and everyone who was present at the farewell.
*hugs* Kylia

Johnny Cash "We'll meet again"
We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when,
but I know we'll meet again some sunny day!
Keep smiling through, just like you always do,
'till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away!
So, will you please say hello to the folks that I know?
Tell them I won't be long!
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go,
I was singin' this song:
We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when,
but I know we'll meet again some sunny day!
So, will you please say hello to the folks that I know?
Tell them I won't be long!
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go . . .
I was singin' this song:
We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when,
but I know we'll meet again some sunny day!
We'll meet again, we'll meet again . . .

[Alrik]

Thanks for your report, Troy.

[janggut]

hey Troy.

i'm glad u got through the tough part & still stand/sit strong. & i'm glad that the ceremony went well with Tom's friends participated to honour the great guy. wish i was there.

thank you so much for thinking of representing us in the difficult hours. we shouldn't impose on u, yet u went out of your way to do it anyway. Tom's definitely blessed to have u as a friend.

i am touched by the fact that my poem was read at all. it was in the spur of the moment when i found out about Tom. in fact, the shock has yet to hit me. i know it's going to hit hard later.

anyway, i hope my lousy poem didn't embarrass u when u read it. the metre is off, the pacing's inconsistent. u gave me too much honour reading it.

in any case, u stay strong, keep the faith, be defiantly positive & GOD BLESS.


brandon

[winlok]

Over thirty years ago, I was working at the memorial Boys and Girls Club on cleaning detail. Every day we would go to a house and clean it for the occupant. They were usually older people, who wanted to spend there twilight years in respectable conditions. It's not as bad as it sounds, although some of them hadn't emptied their vaccum cleaner in years. Anyways most people went through the motions, killing time until the day was through when they would get payed. Something about this woman (she was in her eightys), struck me right and I really cleaned her house. As such that she asked for me again and again. Her daughter was impressed with me, and she genuinly seemed happier. (most of the time she just wanted to talk, and I would oblige because her stories were fascinating to me). This went on for about a week, and one day my supervisor said I wasn't going. At first I thought I had done something wrong, but I was informed this sweet old lady had passed away. Needless to say I was shocked. Just yesterday I was talking to her, and she gave no indication she was in pain. (and she probably wasn't). This is how I feel about Mea (Tom). I never knew him well enough.

[janggut]

yeah, Wins, some people don't want to impose too much on those they like/love. & i'm glad they go the way they go, cos it's the best anyone would hope for - quick & smooth passage.

may the old lady's soul rest in eternal peace.

[Elliot Kane]

Thanks for letting us know how it went, Troy. It is good to know that Mea was missed by so many people: a true indication of what a great person he was.

[Alrik]

This song once helped me to cope with the death of another friend, long, long ago :

Old and Wise

[Shan]

terrordar said:

I never knew Mea, but I saw him around. This comes as a surprise and as a shock.

A hope that his life was fruitful, and that those who miss him, not only miss him because he is gone, but because of the man he was.

Cheers.

a good thought td. i think that is the way he should be remembered, remembered for the man he was. it is the way i will always remember him.

[Shan]

thanks troy for making us a part of mea's farewell. it means alot to me to know that through you i could be there too.

last night before time for the memorial, we (my family and i) lit a candle in memory of mea/tom and let it burn through the night. lighting the candle felt good like knowing that although he is gone his light will continue to glow through all the good he gave to everybody he met.

thank you also for reading jags' poem. it means alot to me knowing that it was read and thank you for placing a rose for us.

we did and do love him and will miss him very much.

take care, stay strong and always remember you are not alone and may God be with you and take care of you. you are in our prayers along with tom's other rl friends.

shan