Well, SMA. For once I am all but wordless. I hope you made it to your particular Valhalla of beauty, intelligence, bravery and honor. And if such a thing were possible despite all the unkind thoughts I have espoused about religion in general, that you shall spend an eternity with your kindred spirit of G K Chesterton.
Which, if I read your correctly over the past couple of years, should please you greatly.
For the second time this year, I find myself bawling over a man I never met. (First was Bunker Mulligan in June.) Except that's not true: we meet on these comment threads, and we share thoughts and ideas and disagreements and laughs, and that's closer than I get to many people in my own family. So though I never met him, I met him, and I'll miss him.
Au revoir, Steven! I trust you said goodbye to this world and hello to the next with style!
I am crying and deeply upset. I too never met him in person but I grew to love him do much through Dean's bog and then of course Rosemary's.
I went through a month I believe, where my posts were sometimes rather odd. I was on so many drugs for my rhum. arth including rather strong pain pills and too muvh of an anti-depressant. Steven wrote to me and we shared the problems of our illness and I told him I was sorry about some posts. He was also right there on the blogs to encourage me. He'd say things like, I understand what you mean.
So many of us commenting had a real affection for him. He was there to encourage others. He never cursed, he showed his anger in other words that let you know he was angry. He found words that were brilliant in his beautifully written comments.
He loved saying Hail to the King and Hail to the Queen! I am so sorry Dean and Rosemary. I know he helped both of you many times when things were tough for you. I am so sorry for you both, and can only imagine how you both are in a state of shock and grieving.
Arnold, yes he said he grew so much from G.K. Chesterton. We shared so many e-mails and it was in those that I began to have a love for him and I miss him, I have missed him since Thanksgiving Day, and now I will miss him always.
I'm bawling my eyes out, was looking forward to meeting him next Spring. He loved the Spring and so did I, and it is when we were going to meet in person.
I loved what Arnold said above, I too pray he is there sharing.
I'm sorry to leave a couple of comments, I am here alone. Rosemary, I really understand how terribly sad you are. I am sure he is Hailing you from above sweetheart, I am really sure of that.
In the future I will share with you some of our words of love in the e-mails we sent to one another. I hadn't asked for his home address yet and I feel so bad because I could send the family flowers or something.
Steven would have been deeply moved by all of this. As a matter of fact, maybe he is!
Here's part of what he said in a comment on November 26, the day before he died:
Surely, civilizations more advanced, more ethical, more Godly than our own must be out there amid the billions of stars, the billions of galaxies, this infinite universe.
Were they to visit Earth, I can imagine what they might say:
"You Objectivists: You have a noble ethic of selfishness, but your values must have a high spiritual base and source, the Divine. Worship, above all, the Most High Goddess, the Queen of Heaven.
"You Christians: Be more dogmatic in your theology. Continue to worship the Divine Christ. Worship, above all, the Most High Goddess, the Queen of Heaven.
"You Communists: Stop robbing, enslaving, raping, and murdering or else we will smite you. Repent. Turn back to God, the Christ. Worship, above all, the Most High Goddess, the Queen of Heaven."
And here's Steven on Thanksgiving (three days before he died):
I'm thankful for my wonderful brother who is going to pick me up at 2:30 for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at his house with my wonderful Mama.
I'm thankful that I was born in the freest country in the world, the United States of America. I'm thankful to each and all of our brave men and women who are fighting to keep us free, and to all those who have fought in every one of our past Wars. I'm thankful for the Western high culture of which America is integrally a part.
I'm thankful for good blogs like Eric Scheie's Classical Values, the Queen of All Evil, and Dean's World, and all the fascinating commenters here.
I admire Dean
For marrying the Queen.
I admire the Queen
For marrying Dean.
I'm thankful for all my colored things, my books, my computer, my food, my clothes, etc., etc..
I'm thankful for this planet Earth, for our Moon, for this solar system, and for all the planets, stars, and galaxies in this infinite universe.
I've many times commented that SMA was my favorite contributer to Dean's World, and although I never really knew where he was coming from (he was one funny and intelligent lesbian-worshipping demi-god). He seemed to inspire me to an insane level of creative posting. He mad me laugh, mad me angry, mad shake my head in bewilderment, but I always knew he was a sincere man, and I think we all respect him for that.
He will always be in my thoughts, and I think Dean should compile and post a sample of SMA's posts if possible. He will truly be missed and the world is a little colder without him.
Steven always had a kind word to say. He will be missed.
I'm struck with the fragility of life. In our modern world, we sometimes forget that we all have a date with the grim reaper. Steven's death makes me take into account my own mortality.
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
What does the worker gain from his toil?
I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
The passing of Steven Malcolm Anderson should encourage us all treasure the time we do have, and use it to wisely. I know that I waste time that I shouldn't. Don't we all? But time is the one thing we all receive in equal quantity each day.
Have I used the time I was given today in a good way, or have I wasted it? Have you?
Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.
Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.
He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart...
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun...
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do.
Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.
Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.
Steven was the first friendly person, I knew on Dean's World. Total strangers were we but he was kind enough to acknowledge some of my earlier snarkings and encouraged me to continue commenting even though I did break a lot of china in my early days here.
January 25, 1955 - November 27, 2005 Steven was born in Kennewick, Washington, the beloved son of Samuel Kingdon Anderson (d. 1987) and Beverly Jean Clarke of Edmonds, WA. He was the beloved twin brother of David Matthew Anderson of Bothell, WA, and a beloved nephew, cousin, and friend to many. He grew up in Monmouth, Oregon, and was a dear member of the Central High School class of 1973. He moved to Salem and Portland, and then lived near his brother in Oakland and Fremont, California. He attended Ohlone Community College, excelling in his course work. In 2002 he moved to Bellevue, WA, to be close to his mother and brother, and briefly attended Bellevue Community College. Steven suffered from health problems which prevented him from working or studying full-time, but he overcame many difficulties to lead a rich and productive life. He read voraciously and was an expert in many fields, including mythology and comparative religion, philosophy and political science, and color theory. He wrote highly creative and original fiction. He was a long-time, confident computer and Internet user, and fully exploited the latter, not for shopping (other than for books) or entertainment, but to participate actively in a world-wide community of thinkers and writers who became devoted friends. He charmed all who knew him with his gentle kindness, modesty, humor, erudition, and wisdom. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, at Beck's Funeral Home, 405 - 5th Ave S, Edmonds, WA 98020. (425) 771-1234. We will share memories and stories that celebrate Steven's life. If you cannot attend, please send your memories, pictures, and tributes to Beck's Funeral Home or to sma@3dmdev.com. An enduring memorial is being created at steven.malcolm.anderson.name. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Steven's name to the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, or the American Heart Association. Published in print on 12/4/2005.
I'm just stunned to learn that Steven Malcolm Anderson has passed away. I'm at a loss for words. Steven was one of the commenters who most made Dean's World the unique place that it was. I'm really going to miss him.
You'll have to excuse me, I'm having a hard time seeing my computer screen through my tears.
ALL HAIL STEVEN MALCOLM ANDERSON, the KING of Spectrums!!! We will miss you. May you rest in your personal Valhalla full of beauty, spectrums and light. You helped make Dean's World what it is...you have left a giant hole no one will be able to fill.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, and with the Esmay family. He's hailing you all from Valhalla.
He brought beauty and color to many lives. It's a terrible thing that someone who loved life so much should pass away, but the fact that Steven did love life so much, and was able to express that love so well is comforting. He seemed to be a person who would prefer an Irish wake/New Orleans joie de vivre remembrance, so I'll try to be upbeat, but it really is an awful surprise to find out that he's gone.
It comes as a thief in the night, taking the one child and leaving the other, stealing away the worker in the field and passing by the mother in the nursery. No man can know the day or the hour of its arrival, for it works in secret.
Even when a man is forewarned the exact timing is never sure, for it has its own schedule. Even when a man accepts it, it acts at its own time. It comes when it comes, and to hasten its arrival is, ultimately, futile.
The tragedy is not that he is gone, the tragedy is that he cannot return to tell us of his journeys.
Damn, now I feel terrible. If I had just logged on a little sooner today, I could have gone and payed my respects at the funeral. Rest in peace, Steven.
>^.,^<
I am so very sorry for all of you for this terrible loss of a beloved family member. Never having entered discussions here outside of...the really ugly one I don't even want to name...I didn't "know" Mr. Anderson myself. But what an inspiration to see how much he affected people, through his words.
"Each man is a half open-door
leading to a room for everyone.
Im siting here in front of my pc with tears in my eyes. Tears for a man I never met, never spoke to, never had a discussion with, never had email exchanges with. But there was something profoundly beautiful about Steven. Something that cant be pinpointed. You simply cant say "This is what made Steven beautiful." Its impossible. Its not one thing or another. Steven made Steven a thing of beauty.
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, both the real one and the cyber one.
I always enjoyed SMA's comments. I can't add much to the sentiments already expressed above, except that I am deeply saddened to lose him, and not a little shocked.
Steven Malcolm Anderson was a wise man. In fact, he is the only person who was able to convince me to re-evaluate my opinions on the U.N. He was an intelligent and educated man. He always had something interesting to say. I don't know him as well as all of you do I am sure. But hearing about this really bums me out. Rest in Peace.
I'm a fairly regular reader and highly irregular commenter here at Dean's world and have always admired his writing and his uncompromising defense of human freedom.
I'm so effin' bummed.
Well, SMA. For once I am all but wordless. I hope you made it to your particular Valhalla of beauty, intelligence, bravery and honor. And if such a thing were possible despite all the unkind thoughts I have espoused about religion in general, that you shall spend an eternity with your kindred spirit of G K Chesterton.
Which, if I read your correctly over the past couple of years, should please you greatly.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
Au revoir, Steven! I trust you said goodbye to this world and hello to the next with style!
Rest in peace, SMA. Better yet, give the gods and goddesses a piece of your mind, and do it with style!
I went through a month I believe, where my posts were sometimes rather odd. I was on so many drugs for my rhum. arth including rather strong pain pills and too muvh of an anti-depressant. Steven wrote to me and we shared the problems of our illness and I told him I was sorry about some posts. He was also right there on the blogs to encourage me. He'd say things like, I understand what you mean.
So many of us commenting had a real affection for him. He was there to encourage others. He never cursed, he showed his anger in other words that let you know he was angry. He found words that were brilliant in his beautifully written comments.
He loved saying Hail to the King and Hail to the Queen! I am so sorry Dean and Rosemary. I know he helped both of you many times when things were tough for you. I am so sorry for you both, and can only imagine how you both are in a state of shock and grieving.
Arnold, yes he said he grew so much from G.K. Chesterton. We shared so many e-mails and it was in those that I began to have a love for him and I miss him, I have missed him since Thanksgiving Day, and now I will miss him always.
I'm bawling my eyes out, was looking forward to meeting him next Spring. He loved the Spring and so did I, and it is when we were going to meet in person.
I loved what Arnold said above, I too pray he is there sharing.
Up With Beauty!
Keep rollin' in the other worlds SMA...
In the future I will share with you some of our words of love in the e-mails we sent to one another. I hadn't asked for his home address yet and I feel so bad because I could send the family flowers or something.
Up with Beauty is a fitting memorial. I hope they find space for it on his tombstone.
Cyberhugs to all.
Here's part of what he said in a comment on November 26, the day before he died:
And here's Steven on Thanksgiving (three days before he died):
As Steven would say, "Blessed be!"
He will always be in my thoughts, and I think Dean should compile and post a sample of SMA's posts if possible. He will truly be missed and the world is a little colder without him.
I'm struck with the fragility of life. In our modern world, we sometimes forget that we all have a date with the grim reaper. Steven's death makes me take into account my own mortality.
The passing of Steven Malcolm Anderson should encourage us all treasure the time we do have, and use it to wisely. I know that I waste time that I shouldn't. Don't we all? But time is the one thing we all receive in equal quantity each day.
Have I used the time I was given today in a good way, or have I wasted it? Have you?
Hank
Rest in peace, Steven, 'til we see you on the other side.
Steven was the first friendly person, I knew on Dean's World. Total strangers were we but he was kind enough to acknowledge some of my earlier snarkings and encouraged me to continue commenting even though I did break a lot of china in my early days here.
January 25, 1955 - November 27, 2005 Steven was born in Kennewick, Washington, the beloved son of Samuel Kingdon Anderson (d. 1987) and Beverly Jean Clarke of Edmonds, WA. He was the beloved twin brother of David Matthew Anderson of Bothell, WA, and a beloved nephew, cousin, and friend to many. He grew up in Monmouth, Oregon, and was a dear member of the Central High School class of 1973. He moved to Salem and Portland, and then lived near his brother in Oakland and Fremont, California. He attended Ohlone Community College, excelling in his course work. In 2002 he moved to Bellevue, WA, to be close to his mother and brother, and briefly attended Bellevue Community College. Steven suffered from health problems which prevented him from working or studying full-time, but he overcame many difficulties to lead a rich and productive life. He read voraciously and was an expert in many fields, including mythology and comparative religion, philosophy and political science, and color theory. He wrote highly creative and original fiction. He was a long-time, confident computer and Internet user, and fully exploited the latter, not for shopping (other than for books) or entertainment, but to participate actively in a world-wide community of thinkers and writers who became devoted friends. He charmed all who knew him with his gentle kindness, modesty, humor, erudition, and wisdom. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, at Beck's Funeral Home, 405 - 5th Ave S, Edmonds, WA 98020. (425) 771-1234. We will share memories and stories that celebrate Steven's life. If you cannot attend, please send your memories, pictures, and tributes to Beck's Funeral Home or to sma@3dmdev.com. An enduring memorial is being created at steven.malcolm.anderson.name. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Steven's name to the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, or the American Heart Association. Published in print on 12/4/2005.
Here's to you, Stephen.
You'll have to excuse me, I'm having a hard time seeing my computer screen through my tears.
Up with Beauty, SMA.
And I weep selfishly for our loss, for my loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, and with the Esmay family. He's hailing you all from Valhalla.
:(
That's a big hole in the comments page, it really is.
Even when a man is forewarned the exact timing is never sure, for it has its own schedule. Even when a man accepts it, it acts at its own time. It comes when it comes, and to hasten its arrival is, ultimately, futile.
The tragedy is not that he is gone, the tragedy is that he cannot return to tell us of his journeys.
I'll certainly miss his postings here. If I didn't already have plans for today, I might go say goodbye.
>^.,^<
"Each man is a half open-door
leading to a room for everyone.
The endless ground under us.
The water is shining among the trees.
The lake is a window into the earth."
--T. Transtromer.
A terrible loss.
God bless you, Steven...
Ah, Steven...his style...
I shall miss him. May his version of the hereafter be all that he wanted it to be.
RIP SMA...
I'll miss him.
"Blessed St. Leibowitz, keep 'em dreaming up there..."
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, both the real one and the cyber one.
I'll miss his wonderful style and sense of himself, and I think this place will never be *quite* the same without SMA.
My condolences to his family, and most everyone here, I guess.
Rest in style Steven Malcolm Anderson.