November 22nd, 2006 by Atomictumor
Well, the obits are out. I had the funeral home truncate the one for the News Sentinel to save a buck, but the Oak Ridger had the whole deal, and the Oak Ridge Observer should have it tomorrow, as it’s a weekly. It’ll be online a few days after that, maybe next week.
Oak Ridge really became a home for BJ. She was just starting to feel like a real part of this town, what with our efforts for the school system, and getting to know (and irritate) a few movers and shakers. Sure, most of them knew her as GAC, but a few knew BJ also. I’ll keep up whatever work we were starting, as soon as I know how to do it again (basically, when people stop looking at me weird, or after that nervous breakdown I figures in the cards somewhere in the next few months).
Thanks, Oak Ridge. Thanks for letting her in, while you could. She appreciated that more than she’d tell you.
To the same extent, she was all over the blogs and online world of the area. We made friends, and I’d go to my regular stomping grounds online (the Oak Ridger forums, Doug and Cathy’s places, Joe Powell, Mike Silence, places like that) to find that she beat me there, and left some sort of funny comment (she had a wicked sense of humor, as anybody reading the archives can tell).
After years of being alone, we were branching out, and finding a reception where we looked.
For that, folks, I thank you as well. She would too.
—
Heading over to BJ’s folks for MastaG’s birthday party in a few. Should be fun! I’ll be back home (and online) later today.
November 22nd, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Stay with us all and we will make sure you continue to get that reception. I would not blame you one bit if you retreated, hermitized, moved, took the Tumor down and hid to create a drastic change to compensate for this tragedy. We are your friends and always will be. I look forward to seeing you around town and online!
November 22nd, 2006 at 1:37 pm
Happy Birthday to Gabriel! I love both your boys’ names. They suit them. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. I had been looking forward to reading the next installment.
And boy, does TennCare suck. :-p
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Make no mistake AT, Oak Ridge was lucky to have her for the few years that we did. To lose her is more than personal… it’s a loss of unlimited potential for the whole community.
But those of us who had a chance to share in her enthusiasm (and sometimes chastisement) are forever better for the experience.
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
hi
happy birthday to Gaberiel-i wish the best for all of u, its going to be a long road but i see u have the stuff to carry y’all thru, i admire your courage and like the frankness/honesty in your writing
may God bless your family
November 22nd, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Happy Birthday to Masta G. Love you story about how you were when you first found out she was going to have him. It made me smile alot. It is so good that you have the ability to relate you and her life together. In my prayers, flameslgs
November 22nd, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Doesn’t matter where you are I guess, newspapers are all the same. WTF… “avaiabale”?? At least they got the important part right.
November 22nd, 2006 at 6:20 pm
I could so see BJ shaking up OR. I bet with her wit it was a sight to behold.
November 22nd, 2006 at 7:16 pm
“Do not stand on my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn’s rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in the circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.”
Author-Unknown