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my condolences to Rude's family and friends ( starheads ) ,,, I didn't know him, but it was easy to see that he was very important here on the forum and to the DSO community ... I would love to be able to hit like on most if not all the replies here , but it doesn't work , so I'll just say that the replies here show how much he was loved , they're beautiful and heartfelt ... RIP Rude

I’ve been trying to work myself into the right space to share here and just feeling too much when I think about it. On my way to Kauai today for 6 nights I hope and believe that the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand will center me so I can truly share stories about a person who meant so much to my life. We had more good times coming brother. The darkness was gonna give. I just can’t believe that those times have been taken from us. I hope to see you again on the other side. You challenged me. Cared for me. Insulted me. Supported me. Changed me. I’m not sure you even knew just how much you impacted my life and I know I did some of the same for you. We were cut from the same cloth kind caring good spirited ass holes.

This hurts. Met Aaron several years ago in Cincy and have texted with him quite a bit over the years, usually about politics or sports betting. Even got him to come to our big camping extravaganza down at Mammoth cave in Spring 24'. Such a good guy to hang out with, he'll be missed.

I know it will get better eventually but I'm not in a place where fond memories soothe much pain. While we lived hundreds of miles apart, rarely a day went by without us communicating. His brand of wit, hijinks, and bleep talking, was something that was woven into the fabric of my life. That, and pictures and videos of that beautiful, ball-of-energy son of his. To be communicating that frequently and not know that he was in the level of obvious pain meant either I was not paying close attention - or he hid it extremely well. Probably a little of both I'll guess. It's just a gaping hole in my life and right now there's no way to fill it. I'll continue to provide all of the moral support I can as his loved ones pick up the pieces but his loss seems to color the things I think about - it's surprisingly pervasive. I'm not farming for sympathy but I need for these words to pierce the air because bottling them up is decidedly unhealthy for me. Miss you buddy - you were so loved! I wish you would've felt that love in your heart and that it would've been enough for you to veer of the path you followed. I'm still infuriated with you and love you just as strongly ❤️