In happy remembrance of friends past and present with birthdays and suchlike today...and in sombre remembrance of strangers I never got to meet. For there are anniversaries.

The Crimes of 2001.

The Coup in Chile.

The first broadcast of CBC Radio's Tapestry.

The birthday of a long-dead friend, Leah Adezio known on LiveJournal as "Pikachette".

The anniversary of the wedding of Steve and Laura Roby (Laura being also since passed on), both also friends of mine.

The Great Canadian Handshake (in Space in 2006).

So much to pay attention to. And attention must be paid.

Trying to find a way to say something that needs saying.

elaynetoo confirmed it earlier today, so now I can let the breath out.

Leah pikachette Adezio's in her last hours, so far as anyone can tell, as I type these words.

Before I worked with gumprich on Evening Shift, there was Ari of Lemuria. A project we - and Elayne - had high hopes for, but ultimately didn't happen.

I've known her but poorly in the decade plus since joining the online world myself. Met her a handful of times at conventions. A couple of phone conversations. Back and forths online. I can say that I'm a distant friend. Perhaps not much more than that.

It's going to hurt, even so, living in a world without her. Not in the same way as when Dad died, or any of my other relatives or friends, close and distant, who've died thus far...but it's going to be there.

And I don't have any more words right now.