Toasting To Robert Jordan: A Fan's Tribute Farewell

[mikenwalter]

I began reading the Wheel of Time series between my sophmore and junior year of highschool. I was only sixteen at the time and I remember being slightly skeptical at whether or not the length of The Eye of The World would be worth the effort. This was before I realized that it was a series, and that instead of only having to read eight hundred pages I would end up having to read thousands. By the end of the book, though, there was no doubt in my mind about it's worth, and I was ecstatic to find out that there were several more books in the series to read. By the time that summer had ended I had read through to Fires of Heaven. My junior year in high-school was also the best year in my educational career. And my senior year was second-best. This, I believe, is very much directly related to my reading the Wheel of Time series.

 

Up to my junior year I had always been a torn individual. My family life was horrendous and I rarely had the social skill to make friends. I was intelligent, but did not have a very accurate self image. My sense of what was admirable and what I should strive for was somewhat corrupted, and my self-awareness was very, very limited.

 

I suppose that if anything could be said about The Wheel of Time series it would be that it is about character journey's. Each Edmond's Fielder in it has changed so drastically from the farmer-boy (or girl) that we were introduced to, and I feel as if I have also had drastic character growth in my own life as well. This, I believe, is a testament to Robert Jordan's literary ability. He is, and forever will be, one of my most adored, admired, and favorite authors of all time. I, along with everyone else, truly grieved at his passing.

 

I distinctly recall having Lan as my role model - literally almost a father figure of sorts - as I read through The Eye of The World. I recall (lol) trying to imitate a warder's grace as I walked through my high-school on my junior year open house. I remember adopting many of my favorite character's philosophies and quietly reciting them through my difficult school years - things such as "Death is lighter than a feather; duty heavier than a mountain." And, surprisingly, my life seemed to become more bearable. I seemed to become a more solid person. A more capable person. I became, in my mind, more like a warder, or a taveren, or a hero in farmer's clothing. My personality, life attitudes, and capabilities truly blossomed that year. And a definite reason for that is the significant impact that The Wheel of Time series had on my life.

 

Ever since picking up that first book I have followed the series near obsessively. While I have only followed the series for six years, I stand in awe of the people who have been following the series for twenty years.

 

Although I rarely come up with theories, prefferring instead to follow the story as it progresses - I do have a belief as to how this particular turning of the wheel might end. It is merely a belief about how it might end; I myself realize that Jordan said this turning was no different than any other turning, and that seems to negate this possible ending. My idea is simple: I believe that Rand al'Thor will truly seal the Dark One's prison this turning, and that it will never again be able to be reopened. Throughout the series we have understood that the forsaken were trapped inside the Dark One's prison when he was sealed. My theory is that this time, instead of the forsaken being woven inside of it again (only to be released again once the prison weakens), Rand al'Thor will weave himself inside of the prison - making it an impenetrable barrier similar to the mind sheathes sheltering him from the Dark One that Nynaeve found.

 

I doubt that will happen, but it is the one theory I am willing to stake a little bit of desire on. I have other hopes, primarily that all of our good guys will either live through the battle, and be happy at the end, or that they will at least die out of a choice - protecting those they love, or giving up their lives in a manner they believe will be most effective for the Light. I will grieve deeply for any of the character's, including the slightly obnoxious ones, who suffer a truly tragic and heart-breaking end.

 

Robert Jordan is to blame for how awesome and alive this story has truly been. Thank you, Robert Jordan.

 

That is all I wanted to say.

 

So, a toast to Robert Jordan, and a fan's tribute farewell. Amen.

 

Thank you,

 

Mike

 

P.S. Tarmon Gai'don --- HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!

[TootThatHorn]

10/10 would read again

[Story Archer]

I'm not as eloquent or verbose as the above, but I'd like to add in something that I have felt for sometime. I feel as if, after this wonderful journey I've been on, that we've been on, Mr. Jordan's final gift to me was Brandon Sanderson... and while I will never again (after AMOL) have the true pleasure of reading Robert Jordan's work, he and his lovely wife have made sure I will likely never lack for stories that are powerful, moving, woundrously inventive and delightfully entertaining. Thank you for everything, Robert, the last as much as the first.

 

Rest in Peace.

[Darksmoon]

I agree. This series has had an impact on a ton of lives.

[Suttree]

I began reading the Wheel of Time series between my sophmore and junior year of highschool. I was only sixteen at the time and I remember being slightly skeptical at whether or not the length of The Eye of The World would be worth the effort. This was before I realized that it was a series, and that instead of only having to read eight hundred pages I would end up having to read thousands. By the end of the book, though, there was no doubt in my mind about it's worth, and I was ecstatic to find out that there were several more books in the series to read. By the time that summer had ended I had read through to Fires of Heaven. My junior year in high-school was also the best year in my educational career. And my senior year was second-best. This, I believe, is very much directly related to my reading the Wheel of Time series.

 

Up to my junior year I had always been a torn individual. My family life was horrendous and I rarely had the social skill to make friends. I was intelligent, but did not have a very accurate self image. My sense of what was admirable and what I should strive for was somewhat corrupted, and my self-awareness was very, very limited.

 

I suppose that if anything could be said about The Wheel of Time series it would be that it is about character journey's. Each Edmond's Fielder in it has changed so drastically from the farmer-boy (or girl) that we were introduced to, and I feel as if I have also had drastic character growth in my own life as well. This, I believe, is a testament to Robert Jordan's literary ability. He is, and forever will be, one of my most adored, admired, and favorite authors of all time. I, along with everyone else, truly grieved at his passing.

 

I distinctly recall having Lan as my role model - literally almost a father figure of sorts - as I read through The Eye of The World. I recall (lol) trying to imitate a warder's grace as I walked through my high-school on my junior year open house. I remember adopting many of my favorite character's philosophies and quietly reciting them through my difficult school years - things such as "Death is lighter than a feather; duty heavier than a mountain." And, surprisingly, my life seemed to become more bearable. I seemed to become a more solid person. A more capable person. I became, in my mind, more like a warder, or a taveren, or a hero in farmer's clothing. My personality, life attitudes, and capabilities truly blossomed that year. And a definite reason for that is the significant impact that The Wheel of Time series had on my life.

 

Ever since picking up that first book I have followed the series near obsessively. While I have only followed the series for six years, I stand in awe of the people who have been following the series for twenty years.

 

Although I rarely come up with theories, prefferring instead to follow the story as it progresses - I do have a belief as to how this particular turning of the wheel might end. It is merely a belief about how it might end; I myself realize that Jordan said this turning was no different than any other turning, and that seems to negate this possible ending. My idea is simple: I believe that Rand al'Thor will truly seal the Dark One's prison this turning, and that it will never again be able to be reopened. Throughout the series we have understood that the forsaken were trapped inside the Dark One's prison when he was sealed. My theory is that this time, instead of the forsaken being woven inside of it again (only to be released again once the prison weakens), Rand al'Thor will weave himself inside of the prison - making it an impenetrable barrier similar to the mind sheathes sheltering him from the Dark One that Nynaeve found.

 

I doubt that will happen, but it is the one theory I am willing to stake a little bit of desire on. I have other hopes, primarily that all of our good guys will either live through the battle, and be happy at the end, or that they will at least die out of a choice - protecting those they love, or giving up their lives in a manner they believe will be most effective for the Light. I will grieve deeply for any of the character's, including the slightly obnoxious ones, who suffer a truly tragic and heart-breaking end.

 

Robert Jordan is to blame for how awesome and alive this story has truly been. Thank you, Robert Jordan.

 

That is all I wanted to say.

 

So, a toast to Robert Jordan, and a fan's tribute farewell. Amen.

 

Thank you,

 

Mike

 

P.S. Tarmon Gai'don --- HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Great post dolphin. Thanks for sharing that story and welcome to DM!!!

[Matthew Schreder]

I began reading the Wheel of Time series between my sophmore and junior year of highschool. I was only sixteen at the time and I remember being slightly skeptical at whether or not the length of The Eye of The World would be worth the effort. This was before I realized that it was a series, and that instead of only having to read eight hundred pages I would end up having to read thousands. By the end of the book, though, there was no doubt in my mind about it's worth, and I was ecstatic to find out that there were several more books in the series to read. By the time that summer had ended I had read through to Fires of Heaven. My junior year in high-school was also the best year in my educational career. And my senior year was second-best. This, I believe, is very much directly related to my reading the Wheel of Time series.

 

Up to my junior year I had always been a torn individual. My family life was horrendous and I rarely had the social skill to make friends. I was intelligent, but did not have a very accurate self image. My sense of what was admirable and what I should strive for was somewhat corrupted, and my self-awareness was very, very limited.

 

I suppose that if anything could be said about The Wheel of Time series it would be that it is about character journey's. Each Edmond's Fielder in it has changed so drastically from the farmer-boy (or girl) that we were introduced to, and I feel as if I have also had drastic character growth in my own life as well. This, I believe, is a testament to Robert Jordan's literary ability. He is, and forever will be, one of my most adored, admired, and favorite authors of all time. I, along with everyone else, truly grieved at his passing.

 

I distinctly recall having Lan as my role model - literally almost a father figure of sorts - as I read through The Eye of The World. I recall (lol) trying to imitate a warder's grace as I walked through my high-school on my junior year open house. I remember adopting many of my favorite character's philosophies and quietly reciting them through my difficult school years - things such as "Death is lighter than a feather; duty heavier than a mountain." And, surprisingly, my life seemed to become more bearable. I seemed to become a more solid person. A more capable person. I became, in my mind, more like a warder, or a taveren, or a hero in farmer's clothing. My personality, life attitudes, and capabilities truly blossomed that year. And a definite reason for that is the significant impact that The Wheel of Time series had on my life.

 

Ever since picking up that first book I have followed the series near obsessively. While I have only followed the series for six years, I stand in awe of the people who have been following the series for twenty years.

 

Although I rarely come up with theories, prefferring instead to follow the story as it progresses - I do have a belief as to how this particular turning of the wheel might end. It is merely a belief about how it might end; I myself realize that Jordan said this turning was no different than any other turning, and that seems to negate this possible ending. My idea is simple: I believe that Rand al'Thor will truly seal the Dark One's prison this turning, and that it will never again be able to be reopened. Throughout the series we have understood that the forsaken were trapped inside the Dark One's prison when he was sealed. My theory is that this time, instead of the forsaken being woven inside of it again (only to be released again once the prison weakens), Rand al'Thor will weave himself inside of the prison - making it an impenetrable barrier similar to the mind sheathes sheltering him from the Dark One that Nynaeve found.

 

I doubt that will happen, but it is the one theory I am willing to stake a little bit of desire on. I have other hopes, primarily that all of our good guys will either live through the battle, and be happy at the end, or that they will at least die out of a choice - protecting those they love, or giving up their lives in a manner they believe will be most effective for the Light. I will grieve deeply for any of the character's, including the slightly obnoxious ones, who suffer a truly tragic and heart-breaking end.

 

Robert Jordan is to blame for how awesome and alive this story has truly been. Thank you, Robert Jordan.

 

That is all I wanted to say.

 

So, a toast to Robert Jordan, and a fan's tribute farewell. Amen.

 

Thank you,

 

Mike

 

P.S. Tarmon Gai'don --- HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Awesome man, nearly twenty years ago i stumbled through the eye of the world. Best decision I have ever made.