Thanks much John-I think it is very thoughtful and caring as is.

John, I don't know about the rest but this is your project. It's great that you are taking the time to do it on our behalf. I have complete confidence in you and feel you should word the letter as you see fit. Thanks again.

Would you mind adding me to the list please.

Thanks

Grif

I would be very happy to include all that wish to be on the list. However, it would help me greatly if those that want to be included post the name they wish to appear on the list in the thread meant for that. Rain set the tone there and his example is the best way to get on the list.

The other thing is simply asking me in a PM or here to list you without posting your full name leaves me with a dilemma of what name you want listed. 

This could very well be my fault in not knowing what name to list but I do not want to list a name that you do not want posted. Remember you all have at least two names. Your real name and your screen name. They could be in fact the same but I don't know this.

If you look closely at the list there are a very few that only want their screen name listed. That is accepted completely but I need to know which to use.

I sure don't want to make any errors.

I hope you all don't see this as nitpicking. It really is an issue that presents a problem.

It just occurred to me that a few may not wish to be listed in the BA Midi Letter thread but do want to be listed on the letter. In that case you can PM me but just PM your name as the first thing and no comment unless you want to make a comment. Your name will be included.

ampfixer


John, I don't know about the rest but this is your project. It's great that you are taking the time to do it on our behalf. I have complete confidence in you and feel you should word the letter as you see fit. Thanks again.

I really appreciate your support on this. I do accept that it is my responsibility. I do not accept that it is my project. I am simply giving voice to the will of the forum. I didn't dream this up but saw it in the BA Midi missing thread. Not articulated perhaps but very much in evidence by what was being posted. 

The nature of that thread gave me the idea that this is what the forum wanted done. All I did was act on it.

You all have underwritten that idea.

John

Rain


No objection to awful. The loss of someone IS negative, no matter how we word it. 

My thinking exactly.

Hi John and Christian.  There is no denying that Billy's passing is very upsetting, but what I was trying to get at with a few words was that putting in negative descriptions would just compound this family's tragedy (reminding them of loss).  So, I was merely suggesting to avoid these words so that the letter reads with a more up-lifting sentiment.  Do you know where I'm coming from?  Billy was a great guy, one of the 'long-time' members who stuck around.  He will be missed by many of us.  I just wanted to keep focus on what a great person he was while sharing the hurt, encouraging his family and celebrating his life.

It was just a suggestion and certainly didn't intend to create any strife.

Kind regards,

Michael

Michael I follow your logic fully. I understand your position. At this point I feel I am not in a position to make a decision on this. I have stated my reasoning and that is all I can do at present. I am open about this. However, I am in favor of keeping it as it is at present.

What I am hoping for are more members offering their advice on this.

I will abide by the consensus. If others have a better solution I will listen. 

I do want you to know I think you have raised a valid point and it deserves full consideration. It will get that, I assure you. Don't forget we have some time left before a final decision must be made. I hope you agree with the way this is going.

Just my $0.02, hope you don't mind. I was just thinking that his family may even visit this site and read this thread, which may kind of detract from the original intention of the letter which is hopefully to express a spontaneous, heartfelt condolence from the heart. The letter, if you don't mind me saying, is absolutely fine as it is, and its intention and spirit will be greatly appreciated by Billy's family. I just know from prior experience of writing notes of condolence myself, that it's all too easy to sit for hours wondering whether this word or that phrase will have the right effect or be taken the wrong way, or that you've said enough. I had this recently when the child of a Facebook friend died. I sat there with my fingers hovering over the keys, typing things and then deleting them, when in the end I just wrote the simplest of condolences. At times like this it really is the thought that counts. 

As a total newcomer to this forum I didn't know Billy at all and had no interaction with him, so really this has little to do with me, but I tell ya, having gone to the guy's apartment building to inquire about him and hearing the super say "I'm sorry sir, he passed away 4 weeks ago" through the intercom really brought home the human element of it and choked me up to be honest, so I've been following the tributes to the guy with interest. I think it's great what you're doing and believe me, whatever wording the letter takes, if it's basically along the lines of how it is now, is going to be absolutely fine. 

Guitarhacker - Herb Hartley

I would respectfully submit that >>   about the awful loss you and we are feeling.  << be changed to simply read


...about the loss you and we are feeling. 


No need for the adjective. 


please add my name to the list, as I read and participated in more than a few discussions and posts over the years.

Herb, and anyone else who may have missed it... if interested, please add your name, in full or otherwise, here: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2644141&mpage=8

Thanks!