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red_lasbelin I made it! But God, that 14 hour flight over the Atlantic. By hour 7, I just wondered how on earth I was going to do 7 more, lol.
This has been such a surreal experience. I got badly choked up at the airport because I never imagined I'd get here and she would not be there at the end of the journey. But then her daughter, M and her husband picked me up at the airport and it's fascinating to meet people you've never met but you've heard about for years so you feel like you know them already. And Kei talked about me like I was her next door neighbor so they felt like they already knew me in a way too.
They've just been so kind. I didn't expect them to be mean or anything but I knew this was such an odd situation and I had no idea what they would make of me. They've responded by wrapping me into their family and that has just blown me away. They don't really understand fandom as such, so they kind of call us her Book Club people. And they knew she loved to write. I've got to play with her grandchildren as well, they are the same age as several of my nieces and nephews and they were so important to her.
Her funeral is on Tuesday, and one of the things she asked for was that her coffin could be written and drawn on. I didn't even know you could do that, but it fits both sides of her so well, both the artist and the writer. I'm going to write something on there for me and for her Tolkien peeps. They also asked if I wanted to say something at the funeral. I hadn't even thought of that so I must put something together. It's so hard to encapsulate what she means to me and everyone here.
I did ask them you guys wanting to donate something to the funeral, flowers or charity, whatever. Ray, her husband, immediately said he would want whatever it is to go to charity in her name. Kei was a life long supporter of charity and it would be a beautiful thing. We've discussed several different options, and I think the children's red cross, her local animal shelter and the Cancer society are the most likely places.
M doesn't have PayPal yet and she's busy handling the bulk of the funeral arrangements, so if you want to donate, please send it to me and I will get it to her family while I'm here. No pressure to give, of course, Kei would not want that ever! But I do know some people will want to. My PayPal is japaskey(@)gmail.com. I promise all of it will go to them to distribute as they wish to each charity.
This has been such a surreal experience. I got badly choked up at the airport because I never imagined I'd get here and she would not be there at the end of the journey. But then her daughter, M and her husband picked me up at the airport and it's fascinating to meet people you've never met but you've heard about for years so you feel like you know them already. And Kei talked about me like I was her next door neighbor so they felt like they already knew me in a way too.
They've just been so kind. I didn't expect them to be mean or anything but I knew this was such an odd situation and I had no idea what they would make of me. They've responded by wrapping me into their family and that has just blown me away. They don't really understand fandom as such, so they kind of call us her Book Club people. And they knew she loved to write. I've got to play with her grandchildren as well, they are the same age as several of my nieces and nephews and they were so important to her.
Her funeral is on Tuesday, and one of the things she asked for was that her coffin could be written and drawn on. I didn't even know you could do that, but it fits both sides of her so well, both the artist and the writer. I'm going to write something on there for me and for her Tolkien peeps. They also asked if I wanted to say something at the funeral. I hadn't even thought of that so I must put something together. It's so hard to encapsulate what she means to me and everyone here.
I did ask them you guys wanting to donate something to the funeral, flowers or charity, whatever. Ray, her husband, immediately said he would want whatever it is to go to charity in her name. Kei was a life long supporter of charity and it would be a beautiful thing. We've discussed several different options, and I think the children's red cross, her local animal shelter and the Cancer society are the most likely places.
M doesn't have PayPal yet and she's busy handling the bulk of the funeral arrangements, so if you want to donate, please send it to me and I will get it to her family while I'm here. No pressure to give, of course, Kei would not want that ever! But I do know some people will want to. My PayPal is japaskey(@)gmail.com. I promise all of it will go to them to distribute as they wish to each charity.
no subject
Date: 2022-08-19 12:02 pm (UTC)