Comment from Auroraboreal800

Excellent

This is a very sad written but this is how life is... Very nice tribute. This is so sad when "family" goes missing or has passed on. Our prayer to Songbyrd...
Thanks for let us know about her lost.
God bless you!

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2014

Thank you. It is sad. What is the most difficult here is that this is our only connecting point. So, if someone isn't HERE then we have no way of knowing where they might be. You're most welcome, mikey

Comment from mjac777

Excellent

I am new to this site (I joined in 2010 (for two days) - but never wrote anything. I just re-joined a few days ago.

This is a truly wonderful, and inspiring description of what FanStory is all about. I have offered a few written short stories and the feed back has been amazing. You are absolutely right about the value of writing something and getting feedback in a positive, constructive way.

The sense of "community" is also amazingly described. This letter should be put on FanStory's advertisements. lol

Thank you, Michael ..... I absolutely loved reading this piece.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

Thank you so much. It is all very true. I have never found so many people in one place that I can relate to. I've always been the strange one in my group with my writing and music and all of that. Now everyone else is the same way! mikey

Comment from dbmccarter

Excellent

I think this is a great tribute to your friend and to the others we don't have anymore. Like you I wonder sometimes when a long time member disappears. Hope you are feeling better and the photo is priceless.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

Thank you so much. Songbyrd was missing for six months before I found out she had passed away. I still don't know any details. We do wonder and worry when someone goes missing. mikey

Comment from mermaids

Excellent

I agree with your words and love the words let the spirit take control,so true and moving. Sorry to hear that songbird has also passed away. I have about four or five friends from Fanstory that are no longer here and I am concerned about what happened to them. It is so true,our friendships here are important because we each can relate to being a writer.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

Yes. What you are saying is so true. I have a list as well. Songbyrd has been absent since December. Someone mentioned her when they were speaking about Gungalo or I still wouldn't know. So sad. Thank you for your heartfelt response, mikey

Comment from dennis0530

Excellent

Written with CONCERN and sadness on the author's mind.

The writer feels the passing and absence of fellow writers.
I can relate with his noting that others say friendships formed on this site are not real. But the comments, replies and short notes that writers send to each other, testify to the solidity of this associations. Of course there are others who take their absence with nary a thought. It is the degree of closeness that influences our ties with a person.

In missing them, the writer shows that the ties which formed these friendships, still bind.

I see just a small slip: 2nd paragraph, "knowledgable" is misspelled.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

Oh, good catch. I'll fix that. You are so correct. The outpouring of words and feelings truly does speak for itself. I know that I won't take time off without a little note to let my little group of friends and fans knowing about it. Songbyrd had been missing since December without me knowing anything. Thank you, mikey

Comment from RPSaxena

Excellent

Hello Michaelcahill,
You have paid your heartfelt tributes to Songbyrd, Gungalo and all such friends very transparently and with emotional touch Through this essay.
May God bless all such souls with His eternal love!
~RP.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

Amen. I have no doubt that these are two most welcome souls. Thank you so much for your kind words. mikey

Comment from OLA THOMAS

Excellent

Two sad departure in sequential order. Great tribute you've done in this work. wishing the departed souls rest in everlasting peace. Thank you for this wonderful tribute.

ola thomas

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

So pleased that I have a place to share my feelings with people that understand. Thank you so much, mikey

Comment from Hareem.S

Excellent

I am so sorry to hear about Gungalo. What a wonderful poet she was. It's sad that fanstory has lost it very cherished writers. May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

It seems more sad I suppose because they were artists. The extra thought of their voices being silenced adds to the sadness. But, the legacy of their words provides some solace. Thank you, mikey

Comment from sweetwoodjax

Excellent

this is very well written, Michael. I didn't know about songbyrd. she was a beautiful writer, a gracious reviewer and her work will be missed by many on this website

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

Beautifully put. She was all of those things. Thank you so much, mikey

Comment from WORDSOFTHEHEART

Excellent

I loved your tribute to your friend. You brought light and love to a deep loss.
Fanstory friends are the friends of a feather that you didn't have to know or meet to appreciate their contributions to the world. She sounds like a beautiful person.
Great job on sharing her story and honoring her.

 Comment Written 30-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2014

I love that phrase "friends of a feather". Beautiful. She was a lovely woman that spread joy everywhere. Thank you for the kind words, mikey

reply by WORDSOFTHEHEART on 30-Jun-2014

You are most welcome. Sorry for your loss.
Cheryl