I've been pretty clear that I got cut out of TSR in '82 when Gary lost control (but before he came back and then was forced out completely), worked on some projects with various entities (Tri3, New Infinity, etc.) that didn't work out and then, starting in '92 when my eldest got sick, pretty much dropped out of sight while I was busy burying children.
I only came back, and ended up auctioning things instead of throwing away all but the bound volumes, because I was contacted by the guys at
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/index.php and then was put in touch with Paul Stormberg, who Gary Gygax was kind enough to vouch for.
One rough thing is that each year, from December 26 (when Courtney died) to January 26, my wedding anneversary and when Jessica died, things are emotionally rough around my house.
In addition, my wife always wants to save the money we would spend on an anniversary gift for her, but is sad if I haven't bought her something (though we never actually celebrate our anneversary on the 26th of January any more).
The auctions that Paul has run have allowed me to do both, because it has been extra money that was "off the books."
This year we will be celebrating on the 20th and Paul tells me that I'll have most of the money by then, so I just wanted to say thanks to everyone.
A day later and it would have all been in the trash. Not to mention, an auction a week later and I'd have missed having the money in time to surprise my wife.
