This morning I woke up to an email that informed me that my favorite writer from the Southern Vampire Mysteries fandom (in fact the only writer who I still followed from that fandom) suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.
I sat and stared at the screen for a long time, first in disbelief, then in shock and sadness as a wave of grief the strength of which actually surprised me rolled over me.
I thought a lot about it on and off all day at work. Of course my heart goes out to her family and loved ones, but I didn't know her personally, never really even interacted with her beyond the occasional review reply and yet I still have have tears welling in my eyes as I type this up. Because fandom creates community, she didn't know me but she brought me so much joy and happiness over the last few years as I eagerly awaited each new update. And my world is now a little bit dimmer for her creative mind not being apart of it.
By all rights most of us should be strangers, should have lived our whole lives without ever crossing paths. But instead out love for a common thing, be it a book, tv show, movie or what have you brought all of us into each other into each others lives, as peripherally as it may be in some cases, in others as lasting life time friendships.
I'm sick and currently running a fever so I'm sure this all could be more eloquently said, but whether I read your stories or you read mine, whether we email, message back and forth, or simply reblog posts, review, or even leave kudos. You have touched my life and my heart and I want all of you to know that. I care deeply about each and every one of you as both members of my online community and as people and I didn't want it to go unsaid.
