I haven't posted in this thread yet since I didn't know quite how to word things but I'll plow ahead. I wasn't as close to Chris as a lot of you but he was always a good guy. I think he was always suspicious that I really had season tickets when I was on here instead of at a home game I'll never know I guess. In his "illness" thread I felt like I got to know him better and I wish I could have met him in person.
I know people are staying positive but I have to say at this point I am still bitter. This was a guy that should have lived a long time and enjoyed retirement and grandkids. When I see the picture of Chris with Rexx I see a guy that should still be around. I can only imagine the loss that his family is feeling. I know life isn't fair but damn it this was really unfair.
I haven't posted in this thread yet since I didn't know quite how to word things but I'll plow ahead. I wasn't as close to Chris as a lot of you but he was always a good guy. I think he was always suspicious that I really had season tickets when I was on here instead of at a home game I'll never know I guess. In his "illness" thread I felt like I got to know him better and I wish I could have met him in person.
I know people are staying positive but I have to say at this point I am still bitter. This was a guy that should have lived a long time and enjoyed retirement and grandkids. When I see the picture of Chris with Rexx I see a guy that should still be around. I can only imagine the loss that his family is feeling. I know life isn't fair but damn it this was really unfair.
I have a feeling Chris suffered more than he ever let on through all of this.....From some of his updates I think he endured more pain and went farther than most of us would have. When it gets to that point I prefer to call it a blessing when someone passes......I wish we could find a cure for cancer.......
Funny how you never really know what someone means to you till they are gone........think we have all learned a huge lesson here.
Never take for granted any personal interaction you have with others. Internet interaction counts too.
It is not that Chris and I were great buddies, we fought on occasion (Chris banned me once) and we disagreed with each other more often than not, but his passing has made me rethink my Internet activities.
I think I need to treat electronic conversations/interaction more like I would conversations/Interactions in real life. Not just here, but also in the other areas of the internet I visit.
It is too easy to say/type something to get a laugh or take a shot when there are no real world repercussions. The internet makes everyone feel invulnerable and our natural reticence to offend someone disappears because of this.
If I have annoyed or insulted any of you during our times together here on this board, I humbly ask your forgiveness and I apologize.
I will strive to be a better person.
I am going to miss Chris, same as I would miss any of you.
As somebody said earlier, this is a cyber family we have built here. We should treat each other then as family. Family members will fight, bicker, tease, torment, laugh and cry together, but they do it with a type of respect.
Funny how you never really know what someone means to you till they are gone........think we have all learned a huge lesson here.
Never take for granted any personal interaction you have with others. Internet interaction counts too.
It is not that Chris and I were great buddies, we fought on occasion (Chris banned me once) and we disagreed with each other more often than not, but his passing has made me rethink my Internet activities.
I think I need to treat electronic conversations/interaction more like I would conversations/Interactions in real life. Not just here, but also in the other areas of the internet I visit.
It is too easy to say/type something to get a laugh or take a shot when there are no real world repercussions. The internet makes everyone feel invulnerable and our natural reticence to offend someone disappears because of this.
If I have annoyed or insulted any of you during our times together here on this board, I humbly ask your forgiveness and I apologize.
I will strive to be a better person.
I am going to miss Chris, same as I would miss any of you.
As somebody said earlier, this is a cyber family we have built here. We should treat each other then as family. Family members will fight, bicker, tease, torment, laugh and cry together, but they do it with a type of respect.
Good points, Shadow. I will renew my efforts to follow these points as well. And as you said if I have offended anyone also...I apologize to them as well. I enjoy each and every poster here and would never knowingly compromise that.
Funny how you never really know what someone means to you till they are gone........think we have all learned a huge lesson here.
Never take for granted any personal interaction you have with others. Internet interaction counts too.
It is not that Chris and I were great buddies, we fought on occasion (Chris banned me once) and we disagreed with each other more often than not, but his passing has made me rethink my Internet activities.
I think I need to treat electronic conversations/interaction more like I would conversations/Interactions in real life. Not just here, but also in the other areas of the internet I visit.
It is too easy to say/type something to get a laugh or take a shot when there are no real world repercussions. The internet makes everyone feel invulnerable and our natural reticence to offend someone disappears because of this.
If I have annoyed or insulted any of you during our times together here on this board, I humbly ask your forgiveness and I apologize.
I will strive to be a better person.
I am going to miss Chris, same as I would miss any of you.
As somebody said earlier, this is a cyber family we have built here. We should treat each other then as family. Family members will fight, bicker, tease, torment, laugh and cry together, but they do it with a type of respect.
Good points, Shadow. I will renew my efforts to follow these points as well. And as you said if I have offended anyone also...I apologize to them as well. I enjoy each and every poster here and would never knowingly compromise that.
I will add my apologies as well, cause I know that at one time or another, I have pretty much offended everybody that has ever posted here and on all the previous boards.
P.S. Except for IHTB, cause he is weird and I dont think you should have to apologize to a poster if they are weird.
All,
Over the past couple of weeks, as I accepted the unofficial role as messenger to those that loved Chris, I have had the good fortune to connect/reconnect with many people that were impacted by knowing Chris. Family, friends, classmates, co-workers and of course cyber-friends....some have known Chris for their entire lives and some for a far shorter period of time. His impact was virtually the same for everyone. Chris is one of the kindest, most caring and loyal friends you will ever know. One of our friends remembered him this way: "I went to school with Chris from K thru 12. Hard to fathom that one of the toughest guys I knew is gone. As tough as he was, he never bullied anyone and in many cases did things for others that most weren't even aware of. Just random acts of kindness." Tough is right....he was a unanimous selection all-conference defensive end his senior year of high school...leading to his "Unad" nickname. (I tried without success to paste his picture from the 1978 local newspaper announcing his award).
For me personally, I met Chris in 4th grade when I moved to "that side of town". We went through high school together, and we were fraternity brothers for a couple of years at the University of Iowa before he went into the Army. (How 'bout them Hawkeyes!) In fact, I sent all of the Chicago papers to him in Germany when the Bears won the Super Bowl... Sad irony that one of the biggest Bears fans I know was out of the country the year they win it all... For the past 7-8 years we had our annual Bears trip that had reunited many of us from the Geneva High School class of '79...he was the organizer and planner for everyone of these trips. Other than these trips, and a couple of visits during reunions or holidays, life got in the way for us to see too much of each other. That said, every time we talked on the phone or traded texts/emails, we had to discuss the fate of the Bears. Funny...one of the last things Chris said to one of our friends last Saturday was that he saved Cutler's job....I think that it was part of a deal he made during one of his conversations with God before leaving us... I don't think the 2-game winning streak is an irony at all....
As I've gotten to "know you guys" I can see that you loved Chris....and you need to know that he really loved you all as well. In fact, back in July when I was in town I got the chance to visit with Chris when we thought he was in remission. He spent about 20 minutes of that visit telling me a bit about each of you....and why he liked hanging out with you guys.
It is gut-wrenching that he is gone and I miss my friend terribly but I am comforted hearing all of the kind words from those Chris touched. I don't drink nearly as much Miller Lite as we used to back in the day, but if you have one now, raise it with me in honor of our friend Chris! I love you my friend and can't wait until I see you again!
One last thought....if there is a way for me to get a transcript of this, I would love to share with Wendy. She would be moved....like I am....to know how much you loved her husband.
One last thought....if there is a way for me to get a transcript of this, I would love to share with Wendy. She would be moved....like I am....to know how much you loved her husband.
Thanks so much for your thoughts and sharing Jimmy's status with us as this all unfolded. I have no doubt this thread has only just begun and will likely grow to many pages.
Chuck, Thank you for taking the time to give us more insight into Chris's personal life. As I read your words, I have to tell you that everything you said fits perfectly with the perception I have from interacting with him here. He was the heart of this MB, and it was important to him. There were times when discussions got out of hand and Chris was the voice of reason and subtly moved the conversation in a different direction.
Since the only way I knew Chris was through the internet, I guess I'm a little surprised at just how saddened and emotionally affected I have been by his illness and now his passing. It's very personal to me, and I still can't believe he's gone. I think about his wife and kids...It just rips me up.
One last thought....if there is a way for me to get a transcript of this, I would love to share with Wendy. She would be moved....like I am....to know how much you loved her husband.
Thank you Chuck that means a lot to us. We have some issues with the software that this board is built on. So a transcript might be tough. But I'll see what I can come up with. For now, please pass our love to her. I know many of us think about her and her kids. In fact their loss is what gives me that hollow feeling every now and then. I can't fathom how they are managing it all.
One last thing. Welcome to our board. I hope you make it point to post as often as you can. We may have met under rough circumstances, but any friend of Chris's is welcome here.
I haven't posted in this thread yet since I didn't know quite how to word things but I'll plow ahead. I wasn't as close to Chris as a lot of you but he was always a good guy. I think he was always suspicious that I really had season tickets when I was on here instead of at a home game I'll never know I guess. In his "illness" thread I felt like I got to know him better and I wish I could have met him in person.
I know people are staying positive but I have to say at this point I am still bitter. This was a guy that should have lived a long time and enjoyed retirement and grandkids. When I see the picture of Chris with Rexx I see a guy that should still be around. I can only imagine the loss that his family is feeling. I know life isn't fair but damn it this was really unfair.
I have a feeling Chris suffered more than he ever let on through all of this.....From some of his updates I think he endured more pain and went farther than most of us would have. When it gets to that point I prefer to call it a blessing when someone passes......I wish we could find a cure for cancer.......
Funny how you never really know what someone means to you till they are gone........think we have all learned a huge lesson here.
Never take for granted any personal interaction you have with others. Internet interaction counts too.
It is not that Chris and I were great buddies, we fought on occasion (Chris banned me once) and we disagreed with each other more often than not, but his passing has made me rethink my Internet activities.
I think I need to treat electronic conversations/interaction more like I would conversations/Interactions in real life. Not just here, but also in the other areas of the internet I visit.
It is too easy to say/type something to get a laugh or take a shot when there are no real world repercussions. The internet makes everyone feel invulnerable and our natural reticence to offend someone disappears because of this.
If I have annoyed or insulted any of you during our times together here on this board, I humbly ask your forgiveness and I apologize.
I will strive to be a better person.
I am going to miss Chris, same as I would miss any of you.
As somebody said earlier, this is a cyber family we have built here. We should treat each other then as family. Family members will fight, bicker, tease, torment, laugh and cry together, but they do it with a type of respect.
2022 Prepare for the Suck!
2023 A Bright new Day!
Ryan Poles ripping off the band-aids since 2022!
I will add my apologies as well, cause I know that at one time or another, I have pretty much offended everybody that has ever posted here and on all the previous boards.
P.S. Except for IHTB, cause he is weird and I dont think you should have to apologize to a poster if they are weird.
Braile on drive up ATM's ? WTF !!!???
All,
Over the past couple of weeks, as I accepted the unofficial role as messenger to those that loved Chris, I have had the good fortune to connect/reconnect with many people that were impacted by knowing Chris. Family, friends, classmates, co-workers and of course cyber-friends....some have known Chris for their entire lives and some for a far shorter period of time. His impact was virtually the same for everyone. Chris is one of the kindest, most caring and loyal friends you will ever know. One of our friends remembered him this way: "I went to school with Chris from K thru 12. Hard to fathom that one of the toughest guys I knew is gone. As tough as he was, he never bullied anyone and in many cases did things for others that most weren't even aware of. Just random acts of kindness." Tough is right....he was a unanimous selection all-conference defensive end his senior year of high school...leading to his "Unad" nickname. (I tried without success to paste his picture from the 1978 local newspaper announcing his award).
For me personally, I met Chris in 4th grade when I moved to "that side of town". We went through high school together, and we were fraternity brothers for a couple of years at the University of Iowa before he went into the Army. (How 'bout them Hawkeyes!) In fact, I sent all of the Chicago papers to him in Germany when the Bears won the Super Bowl... Sad irony that one of the biggest Bears fans I know was out of the country the year they win it all... For the past 7-8 years we had our annual Bears trip that had reunited many of us from the Geneva High School class of '79...he was the organizer and planner for everyone of these trips. Other than these trips, and a couple of visits during reunions or holidays, life got in the way for us to see too much of each other. That said, every time we talked on the phone or traded texts/emails, we had to discuss the fate of the Bears. Funny...one of the last things Chris said to one of our friends last Saturday was that he saved Cutler's job....I think that it was part of a deal he made during one of his conversations with God before leaving us... I don't think the 2-game winning streak is an irony at all....
As I've gotten to "know you guys" I can see that you loved Chris....and you need to know that he really loved you all as well. In fact, back in July when I was in town I got the chance to visit with Chris when we thought he was in remission. He spent about 20 minutes of that visit telling me a bit about each of you....and why he liked hanging out with you guys.
It is gut-wrenching that he is gone and I miss my friend terribly but I am comforted hearing all of the kind words from those Chris touched. I don't drink nearly as much Miller Lite as we used to back in the day, but if you have one now, raise it with me in honor of our friend Chris! I love you my friend and can't wait until I see you again!
God Bless you all!
Chuck
MNBear
One last thought....if there is a way for me to get a transcript of this, I would love to share with Wendy. She would be moved....like I am....to know how much you loved her husband.
MNBear
Thanks so much for your thoughts and sharing Jimmy's status with us as this all unfolded. I have no doubt this thread has only just begun and will likely grow to many pages.
Butkus never wore an earring
Chuck, Thank you for taking the time to give us more insight into Chris's personal life. As I read your words, I have to tell you that everything you said fits perfectly with the perception I have from interacting with him here. He was the heart of this MB, and it was important to him. There were times when discussions got out of hand and Chris was the voice of reason and subtly moved the conversation in a different direction.
Since the only way I knew Chris was through the internet, I guess I'm a little surprised at just how saddened and emotionally affected I have been by his illness and now his passing. It's very personal to me, and I still can't believe he's gone. I think about his wife and kids...It just rips me up.
When you bleed, make it orange and navy blue
Thank you Chuck that means a lot to us. We have some issues with the software that this board is built on. So a transcript might be tough. But I'll see what I can come up with. For now, please pass our love to her. I know many of us think about her and her kids. In fact their loss is what gives me that hollow feeling every now and then. I can't fathom how they are managing it all.
One last thing. Welcome to our board. I hope you make it point to post as often as you can. We may have met under rough circumstances, but any friend of Chris's is welcome here.