I've really appreciated your contributions to this thread, too, Killa.

I would like to add this quote to this thread for Derek:

The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms timidly, and struggles to the light amid the thorns. – George Santayana

RIP Merek. Without knowing you, I still feel a great sadness in my heart.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

You will be missed!

RIP

You are one brave dude and this thread makes me feel really sad but it is really nice to see that you all were there for him. So sorry for all

Only caught up on this news now. Very sad. This was a great, and often inspiring, thread.

RIP Merek, and my condolences to his family and friends.

Hi everyone – Derek never wanted a traditional memorial service, he wanted a big party – the crazier the better. So that’s what we’re planning for Saturday, July 21 here at the Maywood Manor (our house), and you’re invited. This is a Día de los Muertos celebration for Derek – a holiday that we both loved from our many visits to Mexico.

El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is a day to celebrate and remember the good times that you've had with loved ones who have died. Families build altars and make offerings of food and drink, so that the departed can have something to eat on their journey to the afterlife, while also allowing them to rest in peace. Some families even eat at the grave sites of their loved ones to show that they are still a part of their families.

Mexicans look at death with the same fear as any other culture, but there is a difference. They reflect their fear by mocking and living alongside death. Children play "funeral" with toys that are made to represent coffins and undertakers. Calaveras (skulls) are decorated with bright colors with the name of the departed inscribed on the head. Children carrying yellow marigolds enjoy the processions to the cemetery. At the cemetery, music is played and people dance to honour the spirits.

El Dia de los Muertos has a long history in the Americas. For ancient Mesoamericans, life and death were not two independent states of being. Death did not mean the end of one’s life but rather, through death, new life was created.

The celebration begins when you get here. Stay for the weekend or just a couple of hours – whatever you can manage. The details haven’t been worked out yet, but there will be BBQs, a fire pit, blenders and lots of space to park your RV/tent (we have five acres). Bring lawn chairs and stuff to keep the kids occupied so that we can focus on drinking margaritas. If you need a place to stay that has showers, take a look at the Powell River visitors’ accommodation page here: http://www.discoverpowellriver.com/accommodation/

We are located south of Powell River.

Please pass this invite along to anyone else you think might be interested or that I might have missed. I don’t think I have everyone’s email address.

More updates to follow. Let me know if you’re in or not, and how many family members will be coming. If you won’t know until the last minute, that’s okay too. Last minute is a Merek tradition.

I look forward to celebrating with you,

Melany

PS: bring the GOOD tequila and use real limes.

Orange, please on to Melany our thanks for the invite and my sincere regrets that I won't be able to make it. I really wish I could.

+1 for me as well. I really wish I could be there.

I wish I could go, but cannot. Best wishes to you and yours though, Melany.

For us unable to attend, maybe TLDR can carry Derek's party a little farther.
A Lounge Dia de Los Muertos thread to celebrate our dead?

This.

I'd also like to have a Lounge meetup sometime down the track. That would be cool. We could toast Derek in person.

Just caught up with the news following an untimely temp-ban.

As you all know, Merek was a man whose attitude towards his situation was as inspirational as it was amazing. Such a well adjusted strong personality is indeed rare and worth celebrating whenever the opportunity arises, I just wish we could be celebrating with him in our midst rather than on his behalf.

Sitting here with a nice dram of Glenlivet 18yo in Derek's honour.

Love and best wishes to Melany and all the rest of Derek's friends and family, I trust you'll throw a great party for Derek on the 21st.

Remember reading this thread a few months ago. Heard the news on the pokercast today. God rest

Lovely, Zeno.

Randomly thought of Merek and his thread this a.m......

Very very sad.

Bumping after seeing his picture in the LC thread.

I reread it again, and almost cried at work. My little brother passed away suddenly this past October which reminded me yet again that death is all too real and so very sad.

RIP Merek. Cheers, all.

Sorry for your loss, Rich.

I often revisit old Lounge threads and it always catches me off guard when I see a Merek post.

Sorry, Rich. And little brothers are always little brothers. I know my two still are in some ways.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Just went through this entire thread again. Sorry to read, Rich. Crazy it's been 5+ years since Merek has been gone.

Always, absolutely.

Thanks for the words, all.

I'd forgotten that the site was down at the worst possible time. So brutal.

Just over 6 years since the funeral of our Merek.

He is with us still. Always will be.

Man, time flies

It certainly does, Dom, especially now.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

And just keeps spinning faster and faster every year.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk