February 2016, the 5th Anniversary of the Death of Brian Jacques: A Tribute

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Wed, 02/03/2016 - 11:57

This month marks the 5th anniversary of the death of Brian Jacques.

It doesn't seem real. Could we have really just passed the last 5 years bereft of a Master Writer, a King of Telling Stories? It hardly seems possible.

So, to mark this milestone of heartbreak, I would like to say a few words, words that I wish, I long to tell Mr. Jacques.

Dear Brian,

Thank you.

Thank you for writing such beautiful stories.

I wish I could've met you, speak to you, see you in person, get your autograph, but I never could.

I was never able to tell you just how much your stories meant....mean to me.

Redwall taught me how to be strong. How to be brave. How to be kind. How to be a good friend.

I spent so many years of my life alone, without friends, without anyone to count on. (Hey, I had that season where your parents are the enemy. I'm 99% sure that it happens with everyone. Not my parent's faults.) But Redwall never let me down. Those beasts were always so accepting. The best of friends. They taught me how to be a good friend. What friends really look like. That friends stand up for each-other....die for each-other, if need be.

Redwall taught me what bravery looks like. I spent (and still spend) so much time wishing, hoping, praying that I might some day be just like Martin the Warrior. Mariel Gullwhacker. Sunflash the Mace. Mattimeo, son of Matthias. Deyna Taggerung. I want to be brave, like them. Strong. Never giving up. Never quitting. Always standing up for justice, truth, what's right. And, to my great pleasure and surprise, I am becoming like them. My therapist said so. She said that I'm brave. Wise. Smart. Just like I've always wanted to be. And was there a wiser Warrior than Martin, son of Luke?

I've always wanted to be brave.

"The Capture", book 1 in the "Guardians of Ga'Hoole" series by Kathryn Lasky wrote: Legends were not only for the desperate. Legends were for the brave.

I used to be desperate. Desperate for acceptance. Desperate for a friend. But now....now I am becoming brave. And that makes me love the Legends of Redwall all the more.

C. S. Lewis wrote: I suspect that men have sometimes derived more spiritual sustenance from myths they did not believe than from the religion they professed.

I agree. I have learned so much from Redwall that I believe has made me a better member of my religion, to be completely honest. I have learned to be strong, brave, wise, smart, kind, loving, honest, empathetic, open, vulnerable. Well, okay, I'm still working on some (read: most) of those. But still!

I want to live in Redwall forever. Thank you, Mr. Jacques, for creating a world that I want to live in more than this one. One that seems beautiful. Peaceful. Without all the worries and concerns and pressures and depression and anxiety that I have to struggle with on a daily basis. If I could move (literally) to Mossflower and only come back here to see my therapist and go to my religious functions, that'd be great. X)

I love Redwall. It's right up there with Narnia. Those worlds.....those worlds are more real in my heart than the agony of this world. I want to go there. Walk through a wardrobe and meet a dryad, have tea with a faun. Jog down a dirt path and come upon a huge sandstone Abbey where all who come in peace are welcomed with open arms and generous paws. Ever since I saw the Redwall TV series, the BBC Chronicles of Narnia movies, I've had a love for these worlds that goes beyond a fandom status. It is a true heart longing.

Mr. Jacques, you have created a world that encourages honour, bravery, and friendship. Thank you.

Thank you.

I hope to never lose the ability to read your works. May your legacy of love, honour, courage, friendship, and standing up for what's right never die. Rest in peace.

~DoraRose

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Also, please keep your comments respectful. I understand that, when it comes to religion, not all of us are going to see eye-to-eye. Please refrain from mentioning what your religion is, and don't attack someone because they believe differently than you do, or for any other reason whatsoever. This is to be a tribute to Brian Jacques, not a shred fest. Any and all comments that attack someone on this thread will be deleted. No exceptions. All I'm asking is that you treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Be respectful, and expect respect. If you don't think you can post a comment without being rude, then please refrain until you are able to be respectful. Thank you. May you have peace <3

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