If anyone doubts that the Internet can be used for the good just as well as the bad, I hope you will read the following Web sites. Molly Guthrey Millett of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, former Fargoan who now writes remotely from her temporary home in Oregon, has taken up the task of following the story of blogger-writer Emilie Lemmons and exemplifying beautifully how the Web can be a life-giving force.
In the wake of Emilie’s death, a community of grievers has formed online. Since so many of us came to know Emilie through her blog, it seems fitting that we would mourn her using the same vehicle she used to reach out and touch us.
To see more, please read Molly’s latest:
http://www.twincities.com/ci_11347850?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
http://blogs.twincities.com/dailyjuggle/2009/01/and_the_web_weeps.html
In her blog entry, she includes a link to another blogger-mother in the Twin Cities, Melissa Bickel Berggren, who is collecting a list and links to all of the blogs that have paid tribute to Emilie. It is truly amazing how the picture of Emilie’s life and its impact is expanding and touching even more people in an even deeper, more expansive way through these ongoing connections. I have to believe Emilie is tickled to see how we are continuing to connect and love one another, and her, even in her absence.
On a personal note, I’ve received several blog comments and email messages from my readers/blogger friends as I’ve continued to absorb and process loss. Thank you, kindly, for reaching out. It has been a blessing to me — not just virtual, but real.
Dear Roxane,
I found your blog through the Facebook “In Memory of Emilie Lemmons” group. I just wanted to say how much I have truly appreciated your thoughts and words. Like you, I have not met Emilie Lemmons in person. I followed her blog for nearly a year before her death and we did exchange some email. Her life and death affected me much more than I imagined possible. I learned so many life lessons from Emilie, someone who was technically a stranger but yet, through her words, became a friend. My sister was also following Emilie’s blog and we both have felt our hearts aching over the fact that we will no longer receive new words of inspiration from Emilie Lemmons. I wanted to thank you for your words. So many of your thoughts have been ones I have shared exactly. I am not an eloquent writer and I appreciate someone like you being able to put these similar thoughts into words. Thank you for helping keep the memory of Emilie Lemmons very much alive.
🙂 Lynn in New Hampshire
Lynn,
Thank you so very much. The beauty of the written word or any kind of human exchange is that when we give, we receive, and I have been the fortunate recipient of your reaching out today. I know that even though she mainly wrote for herself, Emilie, too, was heartened by the exchange with her readers, friends and family through her blog and other writings and “life engagements.” It is heartening to know, even in our loss, that the exchange continues. Again, thank you for taking the time to let me know…
Roxanne,
Somehow, I was guided to you via Emilie. Yes, I know it sounds so strange. I truly feel that she was sent to me, an angel woke me and connected me to you.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed day.
Patricia
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