Maria, that is lovely.

Allyson, thanks for telling us what happened. It helps. And thanks so much to all of you for being there for ita. I wanted to be. We all did. It meant so much that you were. My love to you all and her family.

I've been at work and mostly hiding out. It's so hard to process. Sometimes here and FB has been hard to read. But I am so glad you're all here and it's so wonderful to see old names appear for ita.

I love the idea of an ita thread. I was thinking about something similar on my way back from class.

It's weird how vivid ita is to me even though I never met her. And how much I feel her absence today.

Like you all, I am having a hard time fathoming this. And I am so grateful you're all here and remembering and talking and honoring. I am so incredibly sorry for her family and Paula, and Norah and Allyson and everyone.

My favorite memory was when I finally met her at Kristin and Drew's wedding and I said "I know you don't hug" and put my hand out to shake her hand. And she enveloped me in a bear hug and told me I was ridiculous.

As I shared on FB, we had just talked the Friday before she left for Jamaica. I had sent her a router and a TiVo earlier and we were getting through the password shenanigans. She was excited about starting at the new job when she returned, and I could hear a lilt of hope in her voice that I hadn't heard for a long time. I remember getting off the phone and thinking "2015 is going to be her year." Fuck.

I probably can't do much day-to-day stuff in person in LA, but I can send funds to help with transport or other details. And I do plan to attend any memorial.

I love you all. And those of you who are making brief visits to talk about ita, I am so glad you've come back to say hi.

The ita thread: "ita's thread"

My head and heart hurts.

Yes, it's wonderful to see everyone back here.

Maybe I should delete my post and put it in ita's thread?

Matt was on a work call when I found out - he is asked if we needed to head to LA this weekend.

thank you Allyson, Polgera, Burrell, and Kristen. I'm so glad that there was a plan.

Nah, I think we're cool with this crossposting stuff. I mean, I think people will come here first as they find out.

oh, that's not why I posted it, javachik. Sorry if it seemed that way! Not doing too great with the communication today.

Oh no, I didn't take it as such at all! Nora, it's been a rough morning for you and I know you better than to think that. You take care, woman.

Thank you for writing that Allyson, and for being there for her and her family. Thank you Polgara, Burrell, and Kristen.