goodbye

The word com·mu·ni·ty [kuh-myoo-ni-tee] is defined as:

a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually preceded by the ): the business community; the community of scholars.

I would add to that — the community of fibre artists.

I have to admit, I used to think that relationships formed online weren’t as “real” as in real life ones. However, over the years, I’ve come to a different conclusion. They are just as real so losses especially the unexpected ones are just as painful.

Today I’m saying goodbye to a special woman I met online — Kim Sonksen. I knew her as “The Rock Chick“. :). I met Kim aka Kimmy through Tami’s memes — W.I.P Wednesday and Friday F.O. — and we, like so many others, connected over our love of knitting, crochet and yarn. Whether she was responding to a question I’d asked or commenting on a project I’d done, she was patient, engaging, sweet and very encouraging. I know that many times bloggers only show the good parts of their lives online, but based on the commentary of others who knew and loved her, her life online was a true reflection of her real personal life.

It was with shock, sadness then with tears I learned and had to process on Friday that her kind, exuberant personality was no more. According to the reports on Ravelry, sometime in August, Kim found out that she had cancer and after a very brief struggle, she left us on Sept 11th 2012. I usually try not to ask why when someone passes, but this is one time I asked the question — why?

It’s an understatement to say that I’ll miss her. There’s a book sitting on my desk at work that I got in the mail last week that was a recommendation from her to help improve my crochet. I wasn’t even able to bring it home on Friday … the reminder was too intense. She was part of my and the larger crafty community. I’ll miss her as I know many others will too. I’m sorry that she had to leave so soon; I can’t even begin to imagine what her significant other, family and friends must be going through right now.

So Kimmy, although you can’t read this — thank you for your caring, giving nature. Thank you for the kindness you’ve shown towards the knitting, crocheting and scrap-booking communities. Thank you for the way you’ve touched our lives. More importantly, thank you for helping me redefine community and friendship.

May you rest in peace.