It is so good to read your words, Nilly

Hi, Nilly. If you've haven't had the time to read this thread, MANY of us didn't feel worthy to ask for a memento, but ita's family and The People With The Gorgeous Shiny Hair were very generous and thoughtful.

I cried when I got her Supernatural shirt. I opened it, because the mail cam when I was alone, and then I folded it carefully and placed in a drawer.

I didn't actually WEAR it until March, because I was going to Kansas City's PLanetComiCon and J. August Richards was a guest, and he knew ita said some very kind words at her passing, and I volunteered to thank him in person.

So I wore it. It's talismanic for me now.

I'm pretty sure I'll cry when opening the package, and I don't want either of them to worry about it if I can help it.

I suspect this is a good idea. I honestly couldn't think of anyone better for the thing I sent you, but I also thought that it would probably make you cry.

I am sorry to hear about your father and father in law.

Thanks, -t (though I really didn't write anything, did I? And even that took several large paragraphs...).

Strix, thanks for re-talling that story for my sake. It's lovely. I'm sure you wore it very well indeed.

I honestly couldn't think of anyone better for the thing I sent you, but I also thought that it would probably make you cry.

Thank you so much. I still don't think I'm deserving enough of it, and I definitely cried whn opening the package.

(Lee sent me the booklet - beautifully crafted, with a thread name at the head of each of its lovely pages, its cover has "Buffistas" written on it, just like at the top of the board, and on the inside something which looks like a Chinese symbol, with "thanks" underneath it. Was it candyb who made this, to thank ita for building the Phoenix board? Or am I misremembering and it was somebody else? Either way, it's beautiful. And I'm so grateful to have something of hers here with me. Oh, and a small dragonfly!)

The tears came very easy, today of all days - on this Hebrew date, exactly two years ago, was the last time I saw my father alive. He was at home by then (he was so weak, and there was nothing they could do for him at the hospital, and he preferred being at home, in his own bed, rather than anywhere else). Pi++Toddler was a baby of two months old at the time (oh, how grateful I am that he not only managed to see her, but also to see her smile), and PiBoy was the same age she is now. We couldn't spend long periods of time at my parents' place, because the noise and mess and action brought in by a then-two-years-old energetic toddler were too much for my father, so we tried to arrive for short visits whenever we could (the arrival of the grandchildren were a breath of fresh air for my mother, who needed that so very much at the time). I remember the date distinctly because it's a minor holiday (bonfires are being lit in the evening - in fact, we're going to one this evening, pretty soon). We showed Pi-then-toddler the fires scattered around when we left my parents' place that evening. Two nights later my father passed away, at home, like he wanted. On Friday we're going to go to his grave, and on Sundey there's the annual memorial service. Last year I couldn't attend, because on that very evening PiBoy had an extremely high fever which turned out to be penumonia. Goodness, that's way more meMeME than I thought it would be, and probably too meMeME for this thread, isn't it? I'll delete or whitefont if you think it's necessary. Sorry.)

Never.

I hope that having the bonfires every year brings you comfort and fond memories of your father.

Aww, Nilly.

It was candyb. She made them for all the Stompies, and they're so gorgeous.

Nilly, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. May his neshama (soul) have an aliyah (ascension).

I love the bonfires. We'll do one tonight at our house, although it's less about the tradition which isn't that big here in the US, and more about my joy in burning stuff.

Also, it gives me an opportunity to teach the kids about fire safety. Yeah, I'm going with that reason.

Nilly, I'm glad you were able to share that story with us. And I'm glad one of the booklets went to you. Peace and comfort wishes to you.

::hugs Nilly::

Never too Mememe. Love you.