I wrote this message to @jeff, but I feel that I was speaking for more than just myself and hence it would be more meaningful to make a thread. If you disagree with the sentiments below, that is understandable - but I hope many do agree with them, and make their voices heard.
Dear Bomb Crew,
There is a fantastic idea taking root in a forum thread regarding a hopeful re-release of the "China Don't Care" t-shirt in commemoration of Ryan.
The idea is for a shirt (of any appropriate design) and/or tip jar from which the proceeds would at least in part go towards Ryan's wife and family to help them through this terrible time, perhaps even helping fund the funeral (wow, that was hard to write).
I think a number of us feel powerless in the face of this loss, having been fans of the man and GB in general for a number of years. We have been left with only the options of making forum threads/posts and messaging you all on twitter with as many kind words as we can muster. Many of us want to be able to do more, especially for someone who was so important to us.
I understand that this whole affair is intensely personal to you, his friends and his family, but I hope that barrier of professional disconnection can be dropped in this case. I, for one, loved that man - certainly in not as deep a way as someone who knew him in person could have, but in my own way. Many are like me.
I know that commemorative t-shirts and money could be viewed as meaningless, frivolous or trivialisation, but I think that such concerns pale in comparison to the legitimate desire a lot of us have to show support. We know that money cannot make up for the loss, but that isn't our intention. We only wish to in some way repay hundreds of hours of life the man shared with us.
Please let us help - please give us an avenue to help. I think the idea presented is one worth considering.
Thank you,
[Sign]
cc: @vinny , @brad , @alex , @patrickklepek , @drewbert , @alexisg
UPDATE:
@hungry_horace: We've been discussing this since we heard the news and are going to try and make it happen. We'll see what we can do. Thanks for the suggestion.
Posted in the thread linked above. I hope y'all can demonstrate your willingness either here or there to provide impetus for the guys to make the necessary arrangements.
Log in to comment