An open letter to all our friends

[WebmasterPete]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to take a little liberty here and speak on behalf of the entire podcast team - I hope they won't mind as I'm sure they share my feelings.

I've had this site for 11 years now and I really thought it was impossible for me to be surprised by these boards. Honestly, I was pretty sure I'd seen it all - then this happened.

I don't know that I could put into words the incredible comfort you have all been to Diana, Brian and the podcast crew these past few days. The overwhelming outpouring of love and support for the loss of our friend is staggering and such a wonderful testament to the man he was.

As I'm sure you will all understand, we're going to need some time before we get back to the show. This was a great loss to each one of us, so I think it's important that it be a team decision as to when we return to the show.

I won't lie - this has been pretty devastating to all of us. But we take great solace in knowing how fortunate we were to have had the time with Bob that we did, and that we have two years worth of shows we can revisit whenever we want, whenever we feel like hearing a comforting and friendly voice.

It will not be the same without him - his character, his personality were so unique - he was a true original that can never be replaced. But soon enough our grief will give way to a more positive and creative energy. The kind Bob always seem to have in great abundance.

Thanks again for all your prayers, condolances and well wishes. You'll never know how much we all appreciate it.

Pete

 

[Minnie Lor]

Take all the time you all need. We'll still be here.

 

[Disney Khi]

Thank you, Pete, for taking the time to write this for us. Know that whenever you all feel up to it, we will be here waiting with open arms and open ears.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[alebisi]

we love you guys

 

[ninety-seven]

Thank you Pete for building the community and allowing us into your lives. Without you, none of the connections that have been made on these boards would have ever happened. Sure you can pass off the daily running to the Mods (who do a great job) but it was you who started the team that did all this.

For that, I thank you.

 

[Donaldfan81]

Take all the time you guys need Pete. We will all be here ready to listen. You are in our prayers.

 

[LilGMom]

Take as much time as you all need. Here for you all when you feel up to it and are ready.

 

[tinkbutt]

thank you for the post Pete we are all here for support and will continue to be here until you guys are back in full swing

we have all lost a great friend!

 

[Jacklynn]

We will be here waiting for you whenever you are ready. Take the time you need and know that we all are here for all of you. I've only been listening since about January but I already feel like I know all of you. My husband and I are moving to Florida (Montverde, it is kinda near a town called Clermont) in a few months (about 2) and I've been hoping that we would run into some of you at the parks since we will live so close. I, like the others, feel like I have lost a friend, which is so odd since I never met or even talked to Bob. Funny how someone can make such an impact when they do not even know you exist!

 

[IHeartTink04]

Thanks Pete!

We love you all and we will aren't going anywhere! We will be here when you are ready.

 

[davidand3rs]

You guys need that time. None of us are going anywhere!

We will be here waiting for you whenever you are ready. Take the time you need and know that we all are here for all of you. I've only been listening since about January but I already feel like I know all of you. My husband and I are moving to Florida (Montverde, it is kinda near a town called Clermont) in a few months (about 2) and I've been hoping that we would run into some of you at the parks since we will live so close. I, like the others, feel like I have lost a friend, which is so odd since I never met or even talked to Bob. Funny how someone can make such an impact when they do not even know you exist!

I know exactly what you mean. I've been listening since mid-Dec and already I feel like the 'team' was a part of my life. It's interesting how hard it hits you when something like this happens and you've never even met the person.

 

[mandymommy4]

I think we all understand. It will be just as hard fur "us" listening to a "Bobless" show as it will be fro you all to sit and make that first show. Kinda hard to imagine.....

 

[miss missy]

To Pete and the Team,

I too will take liberty of talking as the listeners/DIS members alike...

We are so glad to hear we were able to comfort you all in any way- even if from a computer keyboard across the miles. We were all feeling so sad and so bummed that we couldn't be there with you guys, as friends normally would be. Cyber friends are not a new thing, but we have such a close community, it is kind of different... and we didn't always know what was right or wrong to do or say. It's real strange to care about people (the team) you never met, and may never meet in person, yet want to show them comfort too and you feel like words are not enough.

So we are doing what we can. The Dole Whips and such.

Please take all the time you all need. Know we are thinking of you all. Know we miss you all. And please know that WE THE LISTENERS AND DIS MEMBERS ALIKE, will FOR sure carry Bob's memory on!!!

 

[Pinky166]

Take your time...we will all still be here!

Love and hugs to all of you.

 

[safetymom]

Thanks Pete. I can only imagine how tough it must be for you and the others on the Podcast. We got to know Bob through the Podcast but you all had the pleasure to call him friend in person.

Take all the time you need. I will keep you all in my prayers.

 

[tiggerbell]

Pete, When you all are ready, we’ll all be here…




I wanted to share something with you that happened last night… I went out to dinner with friends from high school. One of the girls is also a Disney fan, but not into the message boards and podcasts like I am. I’m remedying that.

Last night, she mentions that she found some video of this cute little man who attached a camcorder to the back of his ECV.

JAIME: Oh, my God! Debbie!!! That’s Bob!
DEBBIE: You know him???
JAIME: Well…

And I explain to the table what happened and how I feel and how strange it is to mourn someone you’ve never actually met.

I notice my friend, Scott, looking kind of squinty at me across the table and I think, “Here it comes… they’ll never understand.”

But Scott just lifts his glass and says, “To Bob.”

 

[kimbac3]

But Scott just lifts his glass and says, “To Bob.”

Great Friend


And like everyone else said...Take your time. We'll wait.

Kimba

 

[jpod523]

We, the fans, aren't going anywhere, so take as much time as you need.

To Bawb.

 

[awatt]

We'll all be here when the team is ready to return. In the meantime, we're all thinking of you and how hard this must be for you all, and sending you big hugs to help with the healing.