Greetings, Gather writers. It's Thursday. It's time to write.
I learned some heartbreaking news yesterday that many of you learned as well. Rob Appell, a longtime Gather member, lost his will to fight and passed away the day before.
Rob had lost a leg and learned to walk with a prosthesis. He battled depression, poverty, and a heartbreaking past; yet encouraged and inspired so very many people despite his misfortunes.
Rob loved people, freedom, cats, cooking (when he had enough money to buy the food to do so), the right to free speech, and cookies. A self-proclaimed "cookie whore," Rob was elated when someone sent him cookies. Homemade cookies or a package of store-bought Oreos....it didn't matter; Ron was delighted when they arrived. As a diabetic he doled them out in slow increments for his health and to make them last.
My heart aches at this loss. I know many of you knew Rob and share my sentiments.
If you had the pleasure of knowing Rob, submit your thoughts today in memory of 
him. If you didn't know Rob, but knew someone else who has recently passed, use today's forum to commemorate them.
I've heard there are no services; no official way to say goodbye. In light of Rob's generous heart, honor him or others who have passed by contacting a friend or family member. Let them know you care. Let them know that they are in your heart and on your mind.
Please post your work to the Gather Writing Essential and use Thursday Writing Essential in your tags.
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Comments: 16
This is such a tough one. But, yes, we should...I'll miss him so. But the one who's truly hurting is his best friend, the person that introduced me to Rob on here. The one left to make the decisions, right after his own mother passed away.
I've talked to Rob on the phone (pretended to be his sister), Elsie - you pretended to be his mother.... back when he lost his leg.
Scott was left with making the final decisions and he's left with more pain than any of us. He's got a few posts up here on Gather, if you'd like, I can send you the link to him?
Another reminder of how brief our time really is- don't waste a minute of it.