Grieving--farewell to LK Madigan

I'm heartbroken and reeling from shock. L.K. Madigan, author of The Mermaid's Mirror and Flash Burnout, passed away yesterday. Anyone who ever had even one conversation with L.K. can attest that she was a bright, bold star. Kind, thoughtful, funny. She faced down pancreatic cancer with a grace and honest simplicity I don't think I could ever achieve.

I've been crying in jags all day--for the loss of her, for her family's aching gap in their lives, for the writing community, for her friends. It makes me sick to think of life being taken so young. Leaving behind so many who will feel the pains of this for a long time.

L.K.'s passing also makes me take a long, hard look at my own life. What opportunities am I wasting? Am I taking the time to stop and enjoy those simple moments of being alive? Hugging my kids close? Telling the people I love how very important they are to me?

To my family and friends--you add more joy to my life than I can ever hope to express. The enormity of my feelings right now is an ocean of wordlessness. But right there in the middle, is you. Thank you for being a part of me.

I don't want to waste another minute being scared to take a chance. Being sad because of stupid shallow things I don't have that really don't matter at all. Being lonely but not reaching out to anyone.

I don't want to waste another day not dedicating myself to the art of writing. Not spending a good chunk of time smiling and laughing. Not being selfish and taking a little bit of time each night to pick up that book and finish reading it.

I don't want to waste any more time putting things off until tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. I will take control of my own life, my destiny, today.

L.K., you and your family are in my heart. Your words live on, and I'm so grateful I got to know you, even if for a little while. So many people loved and cared for you.