I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that one of the first book blogs I read was The Hidden Side of a Leaf. There the amazing Dewey brought together all kinds of book bloggers through many varied activities including my own personal favorite, the 24 hour read-a-thon. When I snuck a few minutes onto Twitter this morning and saw Natasha say something about Dewey's passing, shock filled me. Before I had time to even begin to process that, my student came and I fumbled through the lesson, wondering if it could be true.
Dewey, you will be deeply, sorely, profoundly missed. Thank you for all you did for us...for book bloggers. You were an amazing woman who brought us together from all over the world and a role model to me in many ways of what I want to be as a blogger and book lover. You were an incredible example of grace and strength in the difficult times...since we had no idea things were so bad. You leave behind a beautiful legacy that we won't let be diminished.
How strange it is, how undeniably heartbreaking, to lose someone who has been a part of your life through the seasons without actually being a physical part of your life. People you feel you know though you've never met in person. We read each others blogs daily, chat on Twitter, LibraryThing, Shelfari, Book Blogs. And then we lose someone and there is only silence.
Today, I'm going to be a little more patient. I'm going to breath a little deeper, and I'm going to stop and notice people a little bit more. Death does this to me, it has this effect of violently shifting my priorities. Life is short, not to be wasted. These minutes I live, they are the tiny pieces of a bigger whole. My life.
And to all my blogging friends...I want to say now that I appreciate you. I love all of you, and think we have a fantastic community here. And each of you are a part of that, and no, it wouldn't be the same without a single one of you. And that's what was so great about Dewey...she brought us together and helped us realize that.
Farewell Dewey. You were loved and will be missed.
Monday, December 1, 2008
When You Lose a Blogging Friend (Farewell Dewey)
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33 comments:
I'm so sorry...
I've been keeping the tears in all morning, but your post just put me over the edge. They are now flowing. Beautiful.
Dewey's was one of the first book blogs that I read. When I started my first blog, I often visited her site to guide me in where to place/how to phrase things. It IS strange how someone that you've never met in person can leave such a void when they are gone. Strange, but none the less true.
Amy, what a beautiful and heartbreaking post. You just put so many emotions into words better than I could.
Beautiful post. I came to know Dewey and her blog because of you and BBAW, and I thank you for that.
What a wonderful tribute, Amy. Thanks for saying it so well.
Oh, my goodness! I didn't know Dewey had passed away. I hadn't known her long, but I'm very grateful for the time that I had.
What a beautiful, fitting tribute to an amazing person who will be deeply missed.
Beautiful post Amy. I'm still shocked. Dewey will be missed.
I just got home a bit ago and read the post. I'm still in shock...not sure what to think or feel except to realize the huge void out here in the blogging world. I'm terribly saddened by her passing, but I am certainly glad she's not in any more pain.
great post...and farewell my fair Dewey!
Very well said, Amy. I've been sitting here dumbfounded and you put it into words so beautifully.
I'm so sorry that this happened. It is very sad.
Amy,
You wrote this so beautifully.
I APPRECIATE YOU!
Sheri
What a beautiful tribute. I'm still in shock...
Dewey was one of my best friends, and I have been trying to process her death since Wednesday. I will say however that I am relieved her blog readers now know, and it brings me joy to see how loved she was in every aspect of her life. I know that her blog meant a lot to her. Thank you for enjoying it with her. She had so many friends, brought people together like no one else I have ever known, and I know she was grateful to you all. During this difficult time, my thoughts are with you and everyone who loved Dewey.
Amy - this is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. I haven't been able to put my thoughts together to write anything for/about Dewey since I read James' post ... thank you for sharing this.
For once, I was left without words when I learned of Dewey's death. Thanks for finding the words, Amy.
And Cara, I'm so sorry for your loss. Dewey had such a presence here on the 'net, but I know it pales in comparison to the presence she must have had in your life and that of her other friends and family.
I wish I could come up with the words like you've done. Connection... that's the main thing I think about with Dewey... how she was all about getting us book bloggers together. And it's true what you say about feeling such a loss, even when you never physically met someone.
You are so right, Amy. No one can replace Dewey. She brought all of us together.
Oh no :(. I'm very sorry to hear this news. Having come to know Dewey only very recently I'm sorry to hear of her death. There will certainly be a gap in the book blogging world with her loss.
Cara, I am so sorry for your loss. Thanks for taking a few minutes to share on here. You and Dewey's family will be in my prayers.
Your post was how I found out. I am so sad. Thank you for your lovely post and for being such a wonderful book blogging friend!
Cara, I am so sorry for your loss, I could tell she was a wonderful wife,mom and friend from her blog.
Thanks for the beautiful post, Amy. We will all miss Dewey tremendously, what a lot she brought to the book blog community.
Oh man, that's awful! She will be so missed! Nice tribute, Amy...;o)
I didn't know her or read her blog, but I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.
Dewey was one of the first I ever read, also, and I checked in at least once a week. She will surely be missed.
I am so sorry for your loss. I never had a chance to get to know Dewey but I think I missed out on a lot.
Amy, I wish you did not have to experience this loss. If you want to drop me a line via email, I believe you have my address. If you don't want to "chat" via email, that's okay.
Remember this: No matter what anyone tells you, find your own way to grieve. It's also ok to grieve.
You put it perfectly, Amy! Dewey will be sorely missed.
Amy, what a beautiful post - thank you for putting into words what I think so many of us feel. I have been sitting here reading tributes to Dewey and wiping away tears of grief. You are so right - we may not spend time with each other face to face, but the friends we have in the book blogging community are very important to us. I am reminded today how precious and brief life can be.
Wonderful tribute Amy! I still have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I wish I would have had the chance to tell Dewey how much I apprechiated her.
Amy you are very apprechiated and loved too!
Dewey will be missed. I'm sad to hear of her passing, but it warms my heart to read all of these tributes and see how much we all loved her!
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I was thinking that it might be nice for those bloggers who are Weekly Geeks to pay tribute to Dewey in the next week or so. To take the time to post to their blogs a "Weekly Geek" post about Dewey--maybe share their favorite posts from her site, maybe share a memory or two about participating in weekly geeks, the bookworms carnival, the 24 Hour Readathon, or one of Dewey's challenges, maybe just share a favorite memory of Dewey in general, what they'll miss most, how they'll remember her, etc. I'm going to try to post mine this Saturday--but bloggers anywhere and everywhere are encouraged to post whenever they want.
If you're interested please SPREAD the word to all your blogging friends.
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