The Architect of My Own Comeback: Rebuilding Worlds, Rebuilding Life
- And specifically, the Shreveport Housing Authority for their invaluable assistance with my housing voucher:
https://hacsla.com/
Captain Hedges, rebuilding worlds one dice roll and one day at a time.
(Imagine an image here that subtly blends the themes of healing and creation: perhaps a hand sketching a fantasy map, with blurred medical charts or a new house blueprint in the background, or a phoenix rising from ashes with dice in its talons.)
Good Friday morning, everyone. As the new day dawns over Shreveport, Louisiana, I find myself, coffee in hand, reflecting not just on the fantastic worlds we build in our games, but on the profound journey of rebuilding my own life.
This past year, in particular, has been a testament to resilience, a masterclass in reconstructing what felt broken. After navigating severe health concerns, including multiple strokes and heart attacks, and the challenging transition from homelessness to finding stable housing, it's safe to say "rebuilding" has become a central theme of my existence.
What I've come to realize is how intricately this personal reconstruction mirrors my passion for game design. The very act of creating and running tabletop role-playing campaigns—whether it's forging the gritty districts of Nocturnis, charting the course of the Tiger Force Shadow Saga, or launching cadets into the unknown aboard the USS Urland in Star Trek: Voyagearl—demands the same grit and determination as rebuilding one's own life.
In game design, we meticulously lay down foundations: defining core mechanics in Open D6 or Monsters! Monsters!, crafting the history of a new setting, or sketching out the arcs of a multi-generational campaign. We encounter challenges: rules that don't quite fit, plot holes that emerge, playtests that reveal unexpected flaws. But with each challenge, there's a breakthrough: a new rule that clicks into place, a character moment that shines, a narrative thread that perfectly weaves seemingly disparate elements together.
This mirrors the real world. You lay new foundations: securing housing, addressing health. You face challenges: the lingering pain of fractured ribs, the exhaustion of recovery, the sheer effort of establishing a new normal. And then, there are breakthroughs: a day with less pain, a moment of unexpected joy in your new home, the simple act of having coffee on your own porch as the sun rises.
This passion for creation, for building intricate worlds like the Tygerian Isles and designing guides for them, isn't just a hobby. It's a profound part of my own personal reconstruction. Each world built, each rule designed, each story shared, is a step in laying new foundations—both in the games we play and in the reality we inhabit. It reminds me that even after life kicks you down, the drive to create, to connect, and to rebuild remains. You find the loopholes, you adapt the rules, and you discover the unexpected resources, just like any good GM.
Crucially, this journey of rebuilding would not have been possible without the incredible support systems around me. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the supportive services of:
These organizations provide vital lifelines and truly embody the spirit of community and resilience.
So, this Good Friday, as you tackle your own challenges, remember that the spirit of creation and reconstruction is powerful. We're all architects of our own comebacks, in one way or another.
Please remember to insert the correct links for Urban Hub Ministries, Holy Cross Hope House, Hope Connections, and Easter Seals of Northern Louisiana when you post this on your blog!
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