sinkwriter | Thank you, my friends

Almost two weeks ago, I posted a rather vague private message about receiving some devastating news. Without even questioning what was up, you sent me posts of love and hugs and support.

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate that.

Most of you -- at least, those of you still in the X-Files community -- probably know by now, but the reason for my sorrow was that I'd just gotten word that my dear friend

bardsmaid (Susan) had passed away.

Frankly, I'm still feeling the depths of that loss. She was a talented writer and thoughtful poster, to be sure, but she was also my friend. And you never realize just how often you talk with someone about everything and anything until you can't do it anymore.

I want to write up something about Susan and what she meant to me as a writer, an X-Files fan and as a beloved friend, but I think those thoughts are going to have to simmer for a while longer. I've been re-reading some old emails from her, and thinking about just what it is that I want to say. But as I said over on Susan's LiveJournal when her daughter posted an official message, one of the great foundations of my friendship with Susan was our shared love of thorough feedback and the marvelous details of life. So she deserves a thorough post, and I'm not going to half-ass it or rush through it just to get something up on LiveJournal. I want to take my time. I think Susan would have appreciated that, or at the very least -- given her own detail-oriented nature -- I think she'd understand my need to do it that way.

That, and I've always been a damned slow writer.

;)

For now, I'll simply link to a brief post I made about her writings, presented on Bardsmaid's birthday all the way back in 2008: Reading is Delightful and Delicious. If you've never read any of her stuff, it's worth a look or two.

Thanks for listening.