Absent Friends

[lawnrrd]

I got my LJ in March 2002, and one of the first people I followed was roadnotes. Looking back, I see that her first comment in my journal was in May 2002—I hadn’t remembered her following me back so soon afterwards. By January 2003, I was singing regularly with a group of friends, including Velma, at Rose’s Turn on Thursday nights.

That was around the time when I had just started struggling to get out of the cage I had locked myself in. Velma was a great help to me then, offering support, encouragement, and wisdom. She often reminded me that I’m entitled to try to be happy. And insofar as I have become a real, live boy, she deserves credit for helping me along the way.

But time moves on. Rose’s closed, and we saw each less often. Still, she remained a source of support and wisdom as I began to make real changes to my life. She was always delighted to hear of my progress and consequent adventures, always interested in the salacious details. After she and Scraps moved west, I spoke repeatedly of visiting her, but I never made it out that way.

In my most recent email to her, I mentioned that I’d signed up to climb Rainier next summer, and that I hoped I’d be able to visit her during the trip. Now it seems that I won’t be able to.

I missed her before. I miss her now. Rest in peace, dear friend.

Comments

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this. <3

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

Scraps is actually the person who turned me on to LJ. He posted about LJ somewhere on the Well, and I thought, Well, that sounds interesting. Even in its dotage, LJ remains my very favorite Internet haunt so I feel as though Scraps had a profound influence on my life, without every knowing about it.

Velma was one of the first people I followed on LJ, too. There was just something so enchanting about her writing -- I mean, I could just see her in the pen store, puzzling over just the right shade of ink -- apple green or pale turquoise? -- to purchase. I loved her practical whimsicality.

I never met her, can't really pretend to be a friend of hers. Nonetheless, at 4:46 p.m. yesterday, I got what felt like a text message in my brain: Velma is dead. It was very odd.

The whole Scraps and Velma saga throughout the past decade has been chilling and sad, and continually reminds me that I have nothing to complain about ever, really.

[kizlj.livejournal.com]

fucking hell. I hadn't heard :( She was an indelible presence in the universe.

[fimbrethil.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing Jon.

[rosemarymint.livejournal.com]

My jaw is still on the ground over this. I had crossed paths with her multiple times over the years, but had (as in most of my relationships) drifted away. I still don't have words, other than thanks for writing about your memories with her.

[smtigger.livejournal.com]

I have known Velma for years, but haven't seen her in years. I am sad to hear of her passing. Thanks for posting.