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I have just learned that my Kriegsbruder, Legionnaire Jeanpierre 352, has answered his last roll call. He and I were the last living members of the Order of the Whistling Pig. Sadly, because both of us had health issues which prevented us from traveling, we had not seen each other for several years. He asked me to pour a final toast of Scotch on his grave, insisting that I filter it through my kidneys so that it wouldn't be wasted. I deeply regret that I will not be able to keep that promise to him. Please, if you can, raise a glass to him.
"Usually I acknowledge and thank my editors in the endnote of my stories, but in "Court of the Crimson King," the note of thanks slipped my attention. For the second time, CaptainPig has agreed to edit one of my story. As a editor, he is polite and easygoing about my mistakes, posing questions about my lapses when some editors have simply ripped into the bad writing. The Dance of the writer and editor is dynamic. The editor I needed when I first began a decade ago is not the editor I need now. When I see his name pop up as editor of other stories on SOL, I give a thumbs up to the screen."
I thank Fick Suck for his kind words. I consider it a great honor and privilege to be allowed to collaborate in his or any author's creative process.
Boy, was he surprised! Got chewed out over it, but I didn't care. 1SG wanted me to pay to replace his headphones, but I refused.
I know that there are a lot of us out there. I have a small circle of Kriegsbruders to talk to and it helps a lot. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer of us every year. PTSD never goes away completely, but it can and does diminish over time if you deal with it properly. Find a friend, find a circle. Talk about it. Share. Cry together if you need to. Don't try to suppress it, don't try to kill it with drugs or alcohol.
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