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FAREWELL SIR TERRY

It’s been a long time since I’ve wrote anything of merit. But this is something that has to be put down in words.

So few people understand that war is not a constant cavalcade of firefights and explosions, if it were, a lot of us would be in much worse shape than we are already. The truth is there can be a lot of down time when in a combat zone and soldiers will do almost anything to pass time. We watch movies, we work out, we talk, and talk, and talk. And then there are the care packages that are sent from loving people that really make our day. At one point my unit was sent a badminton set and there arose a badminton tournament that became so heated amongst us that our CO eventually took the set away for a time. He eventually gave it back but forbade any more tournaments. Oh well.

I’d brought several books, and I was astonished when I finished them within two weeks. And thus began my scavenging for reading material. And that is when I picked up a Discworld novel by Sir Terry Pratchett.

I’d unknowingly started the series with Night Watch (which is very far along in the storyline.) But even though I had very little idea to the world Sir Terry had built in these stories, I quickly became enamored with it all. It was so colorful, so magical*. And then I saw that there were over twenty-five books in the series. Quickly I wrote home and asked folks to send me any Discworld novel they could. The first to arrive was Reaper Man featuring the greatest Anthromorphic Personification, Death, the Grim* Reaper. And that’s when I truly fell in love with these books.

My days in Iraq became more bearable each time I received another Discworld novel in the mail. Sir Terry’s humor and magnificent wit gave me something to smile at when many times there was nothing funny at all. I read and reread so many of the books. And when I left, I handed a dusty, torn copy of Reaper Man to another soldier and said “Here man, read this, it’ll change your life.”

That’s the thing about Sir Terry’s work. Any time I was having a tough time, and life was getting me down, I had the Discworld to go to for a laugh. Ankh Morpork, the City Watch, Commander Sam Vimes, Lord Vetinari, Death, and so many other characters were so well known to me. Those books influenced my life.

I was informed that Sir Terry Pratchett died today. For several minutes I didn’t know how to take this news. I’ve been around death, and it was odd that when I was so very close to it*** is when I was introduced to Pratchett’s work. I will so very miss his writing. But from the looks of it, Death came for him on his faithful steed Binky****, the realest horse there ever was. I’m hoping that Sir Terry was given the sword, he was not a king, perhaps in the whole crown and royal chair and all, but he was patriarch none the less. I’m especially hoping that before heading to the desert in the endless night, Death gave him time for a game or two of chess*****.

Farewell, Sir Terry, thank you so much for sharing your world with all of us. And thank you for all the laughter I had during one of the most trying times of my life.

*DID YOU NOTICE THAT? IT WAS A PLAY ON WORD’S WITH PRATCHETT’S FIRST NOVEL. HOW QUAINT.

**I’VE ALWAYS FELT I WAS A MORE CORDIAL REAPER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

***I ASSURE YOU, WE’VE NEVER MET MR. VOLKMAR, YOU’D KNOW IF WE HAD. IT TENDS TO BE... LASTING. ****WHAT? A HORSE NEEDS A NAME AFTER ALL. *****ACTUALLY WE PLAYING EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION. I WAS THE BOOT.

#sir terry pratchett #Death #TALKS LIKE THIS #discworld

School coversations

Kayla: so how did everyone get me pregnant?

Jackie: I don't know

Kayla: did every one just get shoved inside of you?

Jackie: what! *hysterically starts laughing*

Me: *turns in and hears* WHAT!?

Them: *ignore me and continues to laugh*

Me: WHAT!? *i start laughing*

Kayla: So we shoved everyone into Jackie so she can get me pregnant by everyone!

Me: wait so she took everyone's sperm and it combines to form one big sperm that in one fine swoop *does hand motions* inserts itself insides you! Breaks the egg cell wall! And fertilizes it at the same time!

Everyone one: *starts laughing*

Cannon: So you animated it?

Me: *does whole story again with more hand gestures*

#i love this #talks like this #mmm yeah