Thinking of Cathie….

I am part of an online community; gathering of diverse and motley assorted folks who support actresses Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccia among others. I was intrigued by the writing done for the characters and the performers. It was so well done that it swept me off my feet. I’m more of a scifi buff , so the genre wasn’t something I was terribly familiar with except through my mom when I was a child. That I really appreciated and valued the art in the work that everyone invested in this show speaks loudly for those involved. The artist connected truly cared about their fan base as well. From the crew to the writers to the cast, they are remarkable. To lose a show that spanned seventy-five broad cast years, that moved from radio to television, to the web (because fans have bombarded Youtube with clips) was astounding to me.

When Guiding Light was canceled, I was in awe. For those who know me well, that I fell for a soap opera probably is flabbergasting. But I did. From March 11, 2009 to Sept. 18, 2009, I watched regularly. I even pulled up many episodes of certain storylines that captured my imagination as well. So I put a four year investment into that time span!

Not just the show spurred me to watch. The online fan community literally captivated me as well. Men (yes, some incredible brave men) and women gathered to do play by plays of the episodes, talked through storyline knots, give history, review how it paralleled or diverged from modern pop culture, media and technology, jokes and fun, or just discuss acting and theater every weekday. What amazed me the most, they also discussed their lives. And I was blessed and touched beyond words. I grew.

People were open and honest. You were able to hear about family, pets, travel, college, politics, current news, lifestyles, religion, history, art, literature, and more. People encouraged each other, pushed each other to be stronger or better, share wounds, share healing, pray with each other, think out loud, know what you believe… and more. There were births, marriages, dating, and losses just like any other community I have ever known. And I stood awestruck and inspired.

I haven’t been as ‘invested’ as long as others have. I don’t speak of me much; I encourage, listen, and learn. What I’ve learned looks a lot like love to me.

This week there was a deep loss of a beautiful lady, Cathie. She has been connected to some who gather on the board for almost fourteen years (that I’m aware of at the moment). That is a long time to walk along side people loving them and sharing. The community is grieving. Her family is grieving. We pray for their healing now.

I’ve watched this community “light candles” virtually in her honor, send words of encouragement, prayers, online ((hugs)), and support in any way possible. She made an impact in the lives of many people literally around the globe by sharing her heart, life, talents, and passions. Cathie, I’ve heard, over and over again was a generous gentle gorgeous soul. The community will miss her very deeply. We are so grateful that her family would share her with us. Being a mother and having lost a father, I grieve along side her children.

When I woke this morning and learned of her loss, I was reminded of a poem by Madeleine L’Engle that comforted me when I lost my father.

The earth will never be the same again.

Rock, water, tree, iron share this grief

As distant stars participate in pain.

A candle snuffed, a falling star or leaf,

A dolphin death, O this particular loss

Is Heaven- mourned; for if no angel cried,

If this small one was tossed away as dross,

The very galaxies then would have lied.

How shall we enter out love’s song now

In this strange land where all are born to die?

Each tree and leaf and star show how

The universe is part of this one cry,

That every life is noted and is cherished

And nothing loved is ever lost or perished.

(Madeleine L’Engle, A Ring of Endless Light, Laurel-Leaf Books, 1980)

Filed under: life, purpose, relating well, relationships, wonder on November 18th, 2009

Dreaming of Silver Roses