Here’s a post I never thought I’d have to write.
A longtime, faithful, beloved member of my online community died today. It is a painful day for so many as he had TONS of friends. He was only 30.
I can’t even tell you the emotion I felt upon learning this, and the outpouring of emotion shown by community members is a true testament to the power of online communities.
HE was known in the community as “Studweiser.” I interviewed him once, and met him three times. Once at our one-year anniversary party. He invited me to his 30th birthday party. I didn’t attend.
I wish I had.
I have posted a tribute to Studweiser on the homepage and will leave it there all week.
I plan to attend his funeral.
That is nowhere in my job description, I know…but it feels like the right thing to do.
Studley loved the GOLO community. He supported my decisions and encouraged troublemakers to do better. When his partner started going through his cell phone to notify his friends, many of the numbers listed belonged to members of the community.
There is an empty place in the community now. And I never knew this could hurt so bad.
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April 29, 2009 at 3:40 pm
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June 27, 2010 at 7:31 am
Janet Gershen-Siegel
I’m sorry I didn’t see this post until now.
I’m, unfortunately, kind of a veteran of this. I think I’ve written seven obits. It is, like you said, difficult. Which is an understatement. It can hit you like a cement fist.
What I have found is, letting people talk is huge. Memories, comments. And sometimes people react thoroughly inappropriately, as in, he was really MY friend, *I* knew her best, etc. Like for anything else, it brings out all kinds of reactions, it’s just that you’re being hit, too, so it’s harder to deal with.
All I can wish for you is that you never have to write another obit again. The Fellowship of Internet Obit Writers is a great group (and if there isn’t one, it should be formed). But at least speaking for myself, I never want anyone else to have to join it.