Neil knew Terry

Neil knew Terry. He speaks of him well. And I wish- Well, I just wish.

I speak of them in my mind like I know them. Like they are friends. Like I have rights on them.

And I don't.

But they are friends to me. Terry is like the uncle that married into your family and you love much more than your aunt. He's the kind of person you would choose for your family if you really got that kind of choice. To me, he really was family. And Neil Gaiman is like that distant cousin a few times removed. The one with the really cool wife. The only ones you like in that branch of family.

I have definitely struggled getting this down. Because Terry Pratchett was like family. And this is hard. I'm still not sure I can say everything I want to say.

His books changed me.

Although it wasn't so much a change as a confirmation. I felt certain things, and knew them, but not in a way I could articulate. Until I read it. In his books.

Going Postal speaks of the power of words. And dreams. Reaper Man speaks of inevitability and hope. Small Gods teaches the fundamentals of godhood and the bargain of divinity. And The Hogfather explains how true belief can be, and it's impact on reality.

Terry taught me quantum mechanics. Our perception of the world is what changes it. The cat is both alive and dead. And sometimes... Sometimes I believe the box is empty. It is a cat after all.

He was a very brave man. He existed with this terrible specter of Alzheimer's for years. And he didn't give up hope and laze around. He got angry. He got motivated. And I will miss him.

He made the world a better place.

At least for me.

I miss you Terry.