26 Comments
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Olivia's avatar

Beautiful, Adam. My brother and I played a lot of NES together. After he died, I got a little Link figurine, reminding me of how much we loved playing Legend of Zelda as kids. I still have it. I still miss him.

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Isabella Rosario's avatar

I’m so sorry for your loss. My late brother and I also connected most through media—Disney Pixar movies & Mario Kart. This part hit hard: “It was difficult to relate to him head-on, face-to-face. At least for me—others may have made more headway there. I hope so.” Tyler sounds wonderful, and thank you for sharing this beautiful glimpse into his life. Wishing you well.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

thank you so much—I too am grateful that video games can help bring our siblings closer

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DesertHorror's avatar

Beautiful tribute.

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From a Garret's avatar

Adam, this is a beautiful tribute. Felt like I was let into his soul a little and your brothership. Memory Eternal.

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Andy Rau's avatar

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful piece. Thank you for sharing this glimpse of Tyler. Your observation about a relationship that is sometimes best expressed/experienced through mediation is interesting and has me thinking about some of my own relationships in that light.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

Thank you so much. And I do mean mediation, ultimately, as a positive. It’s another avenue

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greg's avatar

I can’t imagine a better tribute to a brother than what you have written.

I can feel the two of you sitting together with that gray box, expanding into a place none of us have ever seen before.

I don’t really know any of the games that you mentioned. And it doesn’t matter.

You shared with us a piece of him and the ways in which he touched your life.

In the future when I think of you and I think of your brother, that is how I shall remember you both, the two of you together connected.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

Thank you so much. You’re right, the games themselves don’t matter— it’s the connection that counts

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Quiara Vasquez's avatar

I loved this post, and found in it not just a portrait of someone I wish I had known while he was alive, but a mirror of my own childhood, a decade later, spent engaged in couch co-op with my brother, or just watching him play some game or other. Maybe sometime in the future I will harangue you for your undeserved drive-by on PLOK!; for now I will just offer you my condolences, and say that what you have written in his memory is not trivial but in fact a loving, moving tribute. Wherever Tyler is right now, I know he's proud of you.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

Thank you so much. And you know what—Plok was a good game, all told! Just couldn’t help but compare it to Tyler’s selections. One of those childhood memories that remain

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Stephen's avatar

Thank you for sharing, Adam. This was heartbreaking and beautiful. May Tyler rest in peace.

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Brett Puryear's avatar

Condolences to you, and an absolutely wonderful piece of writing.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

thanks man

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D. Luscinius's avatar

Thank you for sharing your memories of your brother. May he rest in peace.

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BDM's avatar

I'm so sorry for your loss Adam. Beautiful piece.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

thank you, so much

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Caleb's avatar

Very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing — mediating — a glimpse of your brother and his life through this lovely tribute.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

thank you so much

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Bill Coberly's avatar

My condolences, Adam. This is a good piece.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

Thank you so much

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Gordon Petty's avatar

Oh my ...Adam ....how beautiful....thank you...thank you

Dad

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Joel Cuthbertson's avatar

Oh, man, Adam. I'm so sorry. This is a beautiful piece, though I'm sorry you had to write it. Praying for you and your family, and grateful you've shared.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

thanks so much, man

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Lyta Gold's avatar

❤️ hugs buddy.

My brother just started playing FF6 with his kids and they were THRILLED by the part where Sabin suplexes the train. There’s something kind of great about it passing on through the generations.

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Adam Fleming Petty's avatar

The sacred texts that shall outlast us…

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