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Claude

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Claude's Candy Corner: Giant Bomb Life and Death

 

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I wanted to write something for you the Giant Bomb faithful and my fellow video game loving brethren. My wife passed away today after having a stroke early Monday. Why am I doing this you ask? Because Giant Bomb became my place to be when my wife's health took a turn for the worse. At the same time Jeff was fired from Gamespot, I had to quit my full time job to concentrate on my wife and become her caregiver. Jeff's blog and later Giant Bomb gave me that safe haven for fun and video games. I was 43 years old at the time and now I'm sitting at 47. I've played a lot of video games in my life starting with the great Pong. Well, Pong was kind of simple, but you know what I mean. 
 
My wife had a chronic disease called Lupus and with that many illnesses manifested themselves. She was diagnosed when she was 18 years old, and we started dating when she was 24. I was 23. Even with all the health issues, I saw her become a mental health therapist and she was still practicing part-time at the time of her death. June of this year would have marked twenty years of marriage. I loved her dearly and always will.
 
Being that Giant Bomb is just a click away on the internet, it's safe to say I've read all the well wishes and good thoughts coming my way. Being a member of Giant Bomb has meant a lot to me. I've been up and down emotionally and sometimes I can take out my frustrations here good and bad. Sometimes I feel great creativity in writing my strange and obtuse blogs. Other times I try to help and be a good guy. And then there's the forum fun, odd polls and maybe just a little bit of trollism hidden in there. I've met many people here that I consider friends and would enjoy sitting and chatting about life and video games.
 
As for the community, don't let anyone tell you you're just the internet. I'm a firm believer in speaking your mind and letting your opinion be heard. I believe in Giant Bomb and I believe in you. So let your freak flag fly Giant Bomb. I ain't going no where. Don't ban me, bro!
 
Thank you all for the good thoughts. And remember that the internet is not such a bad place, we're just going through growing pains because our world is getting smaller. 
 
Claude
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Kazona

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Edited By Kazona

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss. I don't really know you, so it feels kind of impersonal for me to say anything much more than that, but I will say that reading this instilled, in me, a sense of utmost respect for you.

I may not know you, but I am absolutely certain that you were the best thing to ever happen to your wife.

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Paindamnation

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Edited By Paindamnation

I'm sorry this happened to you Claude. You are a great man. and I wish you well.

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Claude

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Edited By Claude
@LiquidPrince: Always keep my head held high Liquid. Even when I'm at my worst. Thank you. I doing okay. Lots of love and support around me. The next acting season is coming up and I have a lot to choose from.  I still love video games. Still playing them. Some things never change.
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LiquidPrince

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Edited By LiquidPrince

I remember hearing you were going through a tough time, but never heard of the specifics. It crushes my heart to hear a friend going through a transitional and tough period in life, even if my only interaction with that friend is through a screen. I'm sure you must be in pain, but your words sound like your holding up well. My sincere condolences.

Keep on loving the Wii. <>

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Claude

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Edited By Claude
@KaosAngel: Strange days indeed. You have to form two different people. One to grieve and the other to get shit done. Afterwards, you place small goals upon yourself and continue to reach new goals. That's all I got, day to day.
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KaosAngel

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Edited By KaosAngel

I'm sorry for your loss Claude, she's always there.

The ones we love never leave us.

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mpgeist

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Edited By mpgeist

Sorry for your loss duder. Thank you for sharing.

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CRAzYKiLL3R93

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Edited By CRAzYKiLL3R93

I'm sorry for your loss, Claude

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mikethekilla

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Edited By mikethekilla

I'm truly sorry for your loss

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InternetCrab

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Edited By InternetCrab

Oh my god, that's horrible. Stay strong, bro.

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Tireyo

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Edited By Tireyo

You're a good man Claude, and she loved you... always remember that, and don't let the grief get to you like it did me when I lost my dad. One of the hardest losses from what I heard is the loss of a parent, spouse, and especially a child... and the grief never goes away, however it does ease up little by little with time. I cannot really say that I am sorry for your loss, because there isn't really anything to be sorry about as I believe that things are meant to happen. You do, however, have my sympathies. I know that I'm sort of late in responding, but I've been on the road more than in the house anymore. Just wanted you to know that I care. =-)

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MetalGearSunny

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Edited By MetalGearSunny

:( I'm really sorry for your loss, Claude.

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ninjalegend

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Edited By ninjalegend

That is so sad. When the laws of nature piss on my parade, taking someone dear to me, in a reminder that life is but fleeting......I reflect on the memories, and how we have affected, molded, changed, and shaped each others lives. No law of nature or fate can take that away from me. Not without a time machine.

(Note to self. Destroy time machines schematics.)

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SSValis

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Edited By SSValis

That's a shame

I just lost my grandfather today.

can't really think of the right words to say

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huntad

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Edited By huntad

There aren't any words I can say that will do anything at a time like this. My best wishes are going out to you though, man.

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InfiniteSpark

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Edited By InfiniteSpark

My sincere condolences to you and your family on your wife's passing. Wonderful message you wrote as well.

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jakob187

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Edited By jakob187

Claude, that news just hit me like a mack truck. I honestly don't even know what to say, man. It's too young.

Sorry to see those words have to be typed by your hand, brother.

@Claude said:

@ShaggE said:

My heart sank to the floor when I read that second sentence. The fact that you can even bear to get on the internet in a social capacity right now, let alone crack jokes (no matter how melancholy they may be), is incredible.

... Christ, man, I don't even really know you beyond your polls and blogs, and my heart is still breaking for your situation. You've got an ear here to use at your whim if you ever need it.

Oddly enough. My wife was on the 5th floor of the hospital and on the 2nd floor my brother's stepson and his wife were having their first baby. I would go down and crack jokes. It was a hard birth for them. But the mother and baby are healthy and they come home tomorrow.

The ways that life and death play off each other...

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sergeantz

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Edited By sergeantz

I really suck at talking about things like this, but I want to convey my sorrow at your loss, and my hopes that you will make it through this time.

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laserbolts

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Edited By laserbolts

Sorry for your loss Claude you are one of the best parts of this community.

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Harkat

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Edited By Harkat

I've been reading through some of the more serious blog posts and threads here on Giant Bomb recently, dealing with topics like depression, love, lack of motivation and so on. There are many good ones. This is probably the best. Thank you for writing it.

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FesteringNeon

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Edited By FesteringNeon

I'm sorry to hear of your loss Claude. Like many others here offering support and an open ear, I too am always open to shooting the breeze.

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FlyingRat

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Edited By FlyingRat

Christ, Claude. I was genuinely shocked when I read that second sentence. I hope you'll get through all this okay. Hang in there, man, alright?

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ZombieSpace

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Edited By ZombieSpace

Stay strong brother!

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Winternet

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Edited By Winternet

I hope you can overcome the tough period and see you in full force here on Giant Bomb.

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stryker1121

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Edited By stryker1121

Condolences, Claude. Best wishes from the great state of Ohio.

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Claude

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Edited By Claude
@Dalai: She was Dalai. I would be living in my parent's basement if it wasn't for her. And thank you.
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Dalai

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Edited By Dalai

I'm sorry for your loss, Claude. It sounds like she was the best thing to ever happen to you.

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kvnobrien

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Edited By kvnobrien

I'm sorry for your loss.

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csl316

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Edited By csl316

Sorry to hear, good luck to you.

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TobbRobb

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Edited By TobbRobb

Oh I'm so sorry! I hope this won't be too hard, and that you'll stick around. Claude polls are on of my main reasons of being here!

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Seedofpower

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Edited By Seedofpower

@Claude: Duder, you will always be my other motherfucker! Keep your spirits up and I hope to see ya in the chat again some time!

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Slag

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Edited By Slag

man I'm so sorry this happened to you and your wife. I'm sure your wife really appreciated what you did for her. I doubt she could done all she could have lived her life like you described knowing she had someone in her corner like you were.

Not many people would sacrifice so much for one they love, which makes you a pretty special person. While I don't think I've interacted with you much, you have my utmost respect for doing that for her fwiw. And I think it's clear you have a lot of people's. I doubt any other user of this site (outside of staff) would get this kind of response to news such as this.

my thoughts are with you Claude. I hope you find the peace you deserve and that I'm sure your wife would want you to have.

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WickedCobra03

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Edited By WickedCobra03

Even in your roughest days like these, look at the 20 years you got to spend with each other. You got to spend those little moments that you will always remember for the rest of your life, and that she will take with her in the after life.

Claude, you are an awesome fellow that I know would be sorely missed you didn't continue to post around here. I even feel saddened by the passing of your wife just because I feel like there is a pretty tight nit community here.

I think I can say this for everyone here who has seen you around the forums; OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU!

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FunExplosions

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Edited By FunExplosions

Shit, Claude. Last I heard she had just had the stroke. Had no idea she passed. I'm real sorry. I can't say anything else without stepping over the line, but I'm real sorry.

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Claude

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Edited By Claude
@Matthew: Thanks Matthew. Epic Steve is in harm's way everyday being in the Army stationed in Afghanistan, and I believe he is engaged to be married. I can only hope for his safe return with the promise of a happy life with the ones he loves. Tell him thank you for the kind words.
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matthew

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Edited By matthew

@Claude: So I was talking to Epic Steve on the Twitterz, sending him some stuff and such, told him about this, and he has this to say -

I don't know you personally, but I can sympathize with your situation. I have had my own share of loss over the past few months and it's hard. I'm sure you were a great husband that gave your wife happiness from the moment you two met till her last breath. That meant the world to her. Keep your head high.
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Still_I_Cry

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Edited By Still_I_Cry

Really sorry for your loss..

If you have any free time, you may want to check out C.S. Lewis' A Grief Observed.

He wrote it after the love of his life died, it is almost like his diary after the fact.

It is uplifting in the end too.

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CptChiken

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Edited By CptChiken

Shite , Hope youre coping as best you can. Stay claude, claude.

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Contrarian

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Edited By Contrarian

Claude you know you are my friend. This really tears me up. I wish I could take some of that pain away. I am at your side in spirit and one day, we will drink together on your porch - that is a promise. Stay strong and I will stay in touch.

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hockeymask27

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Edited By hockeymask27

My condolences.

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Hargreaves93

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Edited By Hargreaves93

My condolences, I wish you the best of the luck in the future.

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Bryce3333

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Edited By Bryce3333

My condolences, duder. I want to write something touching but I know when my dad died I didn't really want to hear most of it, so just condolences

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HandsomeMuffin

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Edited By HandsomeMuffin

Sorry to hear this has happened mate. Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things in life. Good luck everything Claude.

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sjupp

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Edited By sjupp

Man. I've yet to loose anyone close to me so I can only guess how it feels. While we haven't spoken directly to one another more than on a few rare occasions, "Claude" still comes to mind when I think of the GB community.

So hang in there duder! I hope both you and your daughters will be okay and can keep on truckin'

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SeanCoughing

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Edited By SeanCoughing

My condolences, it is really inspiring seeing the community being so supportive.

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Skullo

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Edited By Skullo

/Fistbump Claude

Power in Strength.

If I had loss anyone in my immediate family or my niece or nephew, I would be a incoherent mess.

Keep truckin', son

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gamefreak9

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Edited By gamefreak9

My condolences, I admire how you have such a positive post to write after such a negative experience.

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MikeGosot

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Edited By MikeGosot
@Claude: *Internet Hug* , also, i kinda expected you to end this signing "The Other Motherfucker". This is not the most sensible thing to say in times like these, but... I dunno. I never was good with these things, so... My condolences to you, man!
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Kyle86

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Edited By Kyle86

I'm sorry about your loss, my condolences.