I Lit a Candle for Dear Yarnfairy
My friend who called herself Yarnfairy, died last week. This was not unexpected but it is sad, oh so sad.
Since my Yahoo email is still messed up I just found out today. Fortunately, today was a day folks who loved her online set aside to honor her. It was a memorial service all over the continent at the very least, maybe the world given the nature of the online knitting community. Folks released balloons, blew bubbles, wore silly tiaras (this 
was a favorite thing for our Yarnfairy) and did other things to honor her spirit.
I was working during the timeframe which was indicated by those who wished to do this together. However, I came home, had dinner, and then lit a candle for my friend. It felt like the right thing to do.
I’m comforted by knowing that if we feel strong emotion when someone passes on, that means that we had a connection that was meaningful. You don’t grieve for those who did not influence or affect you in any way. Only those we love can bring real feelings of loss. I was lucky to know her, she was a generous and caring soul.
May you rest in peace (and giggles?) Yarnfairy. I miss you already.
Photos: The candle I lit tonight; a group of us from all over the USA (Indiana, Illinois, California, Texas and Mass. in this one photo if I remember right), wearing tiaras and knitting at Bloomiefest 2007. Yarnfairy is seated, second from right with red sweater and matching sequin tiara.
October 1st, 2006 at 10:11 pm
Oh, Lynn, I’m sorry you lost your friend. I find your candle comforting–to me, and I didn’t even know her or know about her. I just like the idea of adding a little light to the world in her honor.
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:24 am
Thanks, Lynn. You weren’t late for the memorial. You were right there, with us.
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:10 pm
It’s amazing how attached a person can get to someone they’ve only “met” online. (I can’t tell from your post if you met the Yarnfairy “live” or not, but the remark about “worldwide” set me off on this thought.)
I have an online friend whom I’ve been corresponding with for several years. I’ve never met her “live”, even though we live in the same city AND we often attend the same science fiction convention. (It’s one of those “clear up the time” things.)
Recently her significant other had a serious bicycle accident. Not only have I not met the SO, I’ve never even emailed.
Yet I was nearly in tears following her progress (her prognosis is good I’m happy to report).
Connections to other good humans are very important, whether you’ve had a chance to hug or just typed stuff back and forth. Mourning their loss is important too.
Sometimes the candle is snuffed all too quickly.
HH
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:25 pm
I have just been beside myself with grief.. Even though it was expected, it still is a shock. I absolutely HAD to go to Bloomie in 2004, I was positive I would have never met Laney if I hadn’t gone.. She was such a special person..
Do you have a copy of that picture you can send me? Even though I had my camera, I was just having too much fun to take any pictures.. For those reading, I am sitting on the far right, just to the right of Laney.. D2 is in the back, near the wall… mac is in the middle, and Fran is on the left..
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:48 pm
It is good to remember the folks that make our lives so much better. It is a reminder that life is a gift. If we can make other peoples lives better by our being in their lives, our own life is richer. It hurts, but the one that left us did not mean for us to feel bad when they depart. The wonderful celebrations in the South on the way to the graveyard is a good lesson for us all. It is a time for celebration, even if it is with tears in our eyes.
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:51 pm
You guys are wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to leave a note here. I really appreciate the support.