It's clumsy, and no great work, but it is how I feel tonight. (And yeah, I know, it isn't technically the night before GaryCon, but I am leaving for it tomorrow, and by this time tomorrow night, I'll more than likely have gamed, be gaming, or will be toasting the man.) Anyway.... ‘Twas the Night before GaryCon And all through the land Gamers were packing For the Con was at hand The dice were all snuggled In purple Crown Royal bags Collectors were thumbing through boxes Of old The Dragon mags Old friends and new Will marshal at dawn Waiting for the shout GAME ON! Some hail from near Some from afar All have answered the call No matter who they are The man is not forgotten For their minds he did inspire Conjuring tales of villains and valor Warriors, Wizards, Dragon's Fire They come to game for Gygax Who showed them the way His chair sits empty For him they will play They come to game for Gygax Who can't be there that day They March Forth for Gary Because he’d want them to play The man is gone, but not forgotten. There probably hasn't been a day in the last decade (and I can't remember much beyond that) that I didn't play, create for, or at least think about D&D or his other games, in one way or another. I've made lifelong friends, had a creative outlet, gamed with my children, and generally, just have had one helluva a good time, all because of Gary's work. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. Roll a die in his name, raise a beer, whatever is meaningful to you. Remember him. We won't see his like again. Its all for you, Gary. I'm outa here. I'll see you guys in Lake Geneva.