Colleen Thomas Memorial Thread

[minsue]

Mel, I have been trying all day to find the words to e-mail to you. I still haven't found them. I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Thank you all so much for the wonderful thoughts about Colly. They have been giving me some great comfort. SHe loved you all and her writting was her pride and joy. I am working on getting something set up with Hospice so you will be able to Donate to it. We have a Hospice residence that was built in our area but they have not been able to get the funds to get it open. I have spoken to Colly's family and they wish for everyone who was thinking so sending flowers to give to the Hospice residence in her name. As the family said flowers die and they want something to live on in COlly's name. It will take me a few weeks to get the information out to all of you but I promise I will. I will also try to write the events of what happend that day out when I am able. I thank you all and I am forwording all the email to the family so they will also know how loved Colly was. Please feel free to email me at Meekomn@aol.com. I am returning to work tom so in time I promise to answer all the emails. Thank you all Melissa (Mel)

Very sorry for your loss Melissa.

Perhaps a special compilation of her work can be put together and sold with the proceeds going to the Hospice in her name? Just a suggestion.

 

[matriarch]

Very sorry for your loss Melissa.

Perhaps a special compilation of her work can be put together and sold with the proceeds going to the Hospice in her name? Just a suggestion.

This was actually something I was going to suggest. A special 'Coming Together' issue, consisting solely of Colly's work, each one nominated by an AH member, with a short piece by that member, giving a few words, a paragraph maybe about Colly, and why they chose that piece.

Whaddya think people?? I'm sure each and every one of us would be willing to buy a copy at the very least. And maybe ask Laurel if they would put an advertisement about the book, and why its being produced, on the Lit home page?

Could we do it? We did the special one for Katrina.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

This was actually something I was going to suggest. A special 'Coming Together' issue, consisting solely of Colly's work, each one nominated by an AH member, with a short piece by that member, giving a few words, a paragraph maybe about Colly, and why they chose that piece.

Whaddya think people?? I'm sure each and every one of us would be willing to buy a copy at the very least. And maybe ask Laurel if they would put an advertisement about the book, and why its being produced, on the Lit home page?

Could we do it? We did the special one for Katrina.

I like it. And after she got over the modesty thing, I am sure she would love it too

 

[arienette]

This was actually something I was going to suggest. A special 'Coming Together' issue, consisting solely of Colly's work, each one nominated by an AH member, with a short piece by that member, giving a few words, a paragraph maybe about Colly, and why they chose that piece.

Whaddya think people?? I'm sure each and every one of us would be willing to buy a copy at the very least. And maybe ask Laurel if they would put an advertisement about the book, and why its being produced, on the Lit home page?

Could we do it? We did the special one for Katrina.

I don't know who Katrina is/was, but I like this idea a lot.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

This was actually something I was going to suggest. A special 'Coming Together' issue, consisting solely of Colly's work, each one nominated by an AH member, with a short piece by that member, giving a few words, a paragraph maybe about Colly, and why they chose that piece.

Whaddya think people?? I'm sure each and every one of us would be willing to buy a copy at the very least. And maybe ask Laurel if they would put an advertisement about the book, and why its being produced, on the Lit home page?

Could we do it? We did the special one for Katrina.

I second the motion and want to do "Twas the night before christmas"....you know, her humour one!!

 

[rgraham666]

Great minds think alike. I was just thinking the same thing.

I pick Quality of Life. That was a piece that showed off her versatility. And it's about something that strikes close to home with me.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I've tried for hours now to write this. Colly must smile to see me at it, for I could never write to her quickly. It would take me a day and the ransacking of half my library to write her a paragraph. I could never say what she seemed to me in a way that made any sense; no line I wrote would say the truth, and no word in any language seemed to speak.

Colleen was a beautiful human being. She was generous, compassionate, and good, kind to those most in need, forgiving to those most cruel to her, gentle to those least deserving. Her intellect was remarkable; she told me more about black holes in a PM than I learned in a year of physics class, pointed out exactly where the holes were in an argument about World War II that had long niggled at me, and wholly reshaped my understanding of the debate over the use of depleted uranium in anti-tank weaponry. But what I loved best in her was her fairness, honesty, and decency in marshalling her remarkable knowledge. She never scorned the concerns of those less informed than she was or dismissed their thoughts or ideas. She listened carefully, took every point seriously, and gave everyone she spoke to her respect and her insight. She was civil and kind even in the fiercest debate, and would touch me by sending concerned PM's if she had even the slightest fear of having accidentally wounded my feelings. I've never met anyone I so loved to wrangle and debate with, and I have often thought with a smile of my answer to a long-ago thread about what AH'er we would choose to meet for coffee if we could. I said that I would choose Colleen, for I could see us arguing away the afternoon and moving on to dinner, still hotly debating as we made our way to the restaurant. I think we would have, and I wish we had.

Collen is a wonderful writer as well. I've learned more from editing one of her stories than from writing a dozen of my own, and the opportunity to see her mind at work was an amazing education. Moving through "The Spy Wore Petticoats" with her was the most stimulating, delightful, and incredibly instructive work I've ever done, and I am more grateful than I can say that she gave me that chance. It's hard not to dwell on what is lost; it will be a long while before I can read those pages again without a bitter sense of loss. But I am grateful for them and for all that she has been. She was so much better than she could confess to herself, so much better than people almost ever are - but she knows that now.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Another tribute on top of the hospice and the Coming Together issue that came to mind for me was possibly looking into letting her novel see the light of day.

Depending on Mel's feelings and any specific wishes Colly had, it could be a tribute to send it out to Indy or erotic minded editors and seeing if any bite at the opportunity to push it. Even look into any publishers that accept unsolicitated. Perhaps using AH collaborations to try and edit up any parts that need it to best capture Colly's direction if requested.

Yeah, I know it's a bit of work overall, but perhaps we could look into it and let her see where she is that her work was good enough for print after all.

P.S. Was I the only one who jumped a little at first sight of Mel's post? I guess I still have a bit of that residual feeling that she's just going to come back on the board any minute joking as usual and kicking our intellectual butts.

 

[Huckleman2000]

...P.S. Was I the only one who jumped a little at first sight of Mel's post? I guess I still have a bit of that residual feeling that she's just going to come back on the board any minute joking as usual and kicking our intellectual butts.

No you weren't.

Thankfully, Rob replied in the other thread, and I was able to pick myself off the ceiling and compose something resembling what I first had in mind to say.

Colly's AV and sig were my only visual representation of her that wasn't just made up in my mind. I had no idea how strongly I associated those things with her, how similar the experience to seeing the face of a friend.

I'm so glad you came here, Mel. It means a lot to all of us to know why Colly seemed to vanish. The truth is difficult and very sad, but I'm glad we know and can express our grief, and honor her memory. I hope it also brings you some comfort.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Yes. Thank you most humbly and sincerely, Melissa, for coming here and talking to us, and please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences as well. It's very generous of you, and it is greatly appreciated.

 

[TheEarl]

P.S. Was I the only one who jumped a little at first sight of Mel's post? I guess I still have a bit of that residual feeling that she's just going to come back on the board any minute joking as usual and kicking our intellectual butts.

I didn't jump at all. I thought it completely normal to have Colly's presence. It's hard to keep convincing myself that she's gone.

Melissa, I'm so awfully sorry about your loss. Thank you for coming here to talk to us.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

Mel, thank you for coming here and talking to us. It's comforting to me (and probably all of us) to have some kind of connection with Colly's close loved ones. We all feel her loss so very deeply, but I can only begin to imagine how devstated you must feel.

Take good care of yourself and please know that, should you need us, we are all here for you at this very sad time.

 

[Guest]

.....

 

[impressive]

This was actually something I was going to suggest. A special 'Coming Together' issue, consisting solely of Colly's work, each one nominated by an AH member, with a short piece by that member, giving a few words, a paragraph maybe about Colly, and why they chose that piece.

Whaddya think people?? I'm sure each and every one of us would be willing to buy a copy at the very least. And maybe ask Laurel if they would put an advertisement about the book, and why its being produced, on the Lit home page?

Could we do it? We did the special one for Katrina.

I offered this when I e-mailed Mel yesterday morning, actually.

 

[matriarch]

I offered this when I e-mailed Mel yesterday morning, actually.

I knew I wouldn't be the first or only person to come up with this idea.

 

[CharleyH]

From Dita

I received a note from Perdita this morning and she has asked that I post this on her behalf:

"Thank you to Rob, Mat and Charlus for letting me know of Colly's death. I truly loved her and too often felt great empathy with her pain (physical and emotional). We had an intermittent correspondence. Usually I wrote to her when I knew she was blue (or darker) or ill, or had not seen her on the forum for a few days. More than about anyone outside my immediate family I hated to know Colly was suffering, but I felt it a privilege when she shared her pain with me. (She had a way of speaking of mental pain that was plain and direct and had not a squeak of self pity. I am so sorry her poor heart in the end was not as strong as her spirit.)

I never quite understood why she liked me so much, or the way she did. I never met her, and she would not speak on the phone, so we only had PMs and email, but I virtually felt her love and kindness (and sometimes lust, ha ha). Honestly, her generosity of self and spirit humbled me with some constancy.

Yes, I feel very sad, but I must say I feel joy that I knew such a woman and her mind. That’s the thing for me, someone has to have a special intellect for me to connect—Colly’s mind and heart are what touched me deeply. I told her often that she ‘taught’ me, really taught me things. I told her that if she could somehow break through her illness(es) she’d make a great teacher (of history or politics I presumed). If there were a political thread topic that interested me I only ever read Colly’s posts—not because I agreed with her (often I didn’t), but because I liked reading how she thought.

I don’t think she’d mind my telling this now. For a time she had a bit of a crush on me. I would not tease her, and she knew I was 99% straight, but I wanted to give her something—merely to please her. I sent her the full photos from which some of my more ‘out there’ AVs were produced. She made me feel so beautiful and sexy the way she responded (now if only a man could do that for me, ha ha ha). In turn she sent me the full photo from which her ‘legs’ AV was taken, and others. The quality’s poor but still her beautiful face is joyous. (She asked that I not share the pictures with anyone, ever.)

I felt privileged that Colleen Thomas shared herself as much as she did with me. I think the whole forum must feel so too.

God bless you, Colly—you'll always be my favorite dyke.

Peace, querida.

Your Dita"

 

[Many Feathers]

Stunned...

And saddened. I too will miss CT a lot. We corresponded on occasion, mostly when I was writing as Thesandman. I am indeed in a state of shock here, and simply offer my sincerest best wishes to all who knew and cared about her.

I am so sorry to hear this about such a great and talented writer.

 

[Belegon]

I heartily endorse the special edition idea. My first thought about which one is my first favorite of hers, although other stories passed it later.

But if "The Last Fuck Goodbye" is used, it may need to be the last story in the book. I can't read it right now...it is too close.

Thank you for coming here Mel...very much.

 

[impressive]

I heartily endorse the special edition idea. My first thought about which one is my first favorite of hers, although other stories passed it later.

But if "The Last Fuck Goodbye" is used, it may need to be the last story in the book. I can't read it right now...it is too close.

Thank you for coming here Mel...very much.

I have a manuscript file set up -- formatted & waiting for a go ahead. If we get it, I'll start a thread where we can coordinate story picks, blurbishness, etc.

FYI -- in the past year, across the four existing volumes of Coming Together, we've contributed over $300 to the two charities. I'm fairly certain the sales of Colly's edition would easily surpass that figure.

 

[sophia jane]

I have a manuscript file set up -- formatted & waiting for a go ahead. If we get it, I'll start a thread where we can coordinate story picks, blurbishness, etc.

FYI -- in the past year, across the four existing volumes of Coming Together, we've contributed over $300 to the two charities. I'm fairly certain the sales of Colly's edition would easily surpass that figure.

You're fabulous, Imp. For already being ready for it and thinking of it.

Just saying.

And you're right that the sales would be alot more for this volume. I hope we can get permission.

 

[Green_Gem]

I have been away for some time and read with absolute shock today of this terrible news.

I didn't know Colleen well at all. I knew her from her posts and contributions to the A/H and of course, from her remarkable writing. I think she is without doubt one of the finest writers of Lesbian erotica in the world and in my opinion, the best on this site. Although Colleen has gone, I believe she has left a legacy. One that will be remembered and honoured forever.

Despite her periods of debilitating pain she always seemed able to express herself well, to create fiction masterfully and to have a kind word of encouragement for others. I hope she finally has the peace she so deserves and I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Melissa and the Thomas family.

Rest in peace, Colleen

 

[Aurora Black]

Colly was special to us all, Melissa. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I love the Coming Together idea!

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

This news has just reached me mere minutes ago. I am very much in grief now. I can only imagine that yours is even worse, my dear girl. Anyone that she loved so much and who loved her so much must be a wonderful person. We will all miss her to an extent that none of us could have imagined. That's all I can say at the moment.

 

[Equinoxe]

I wasn't sure which thread I wanted to put this in, but I decided on this one:

(You'll have to bear with me, I'm a very private person)

Avatyara quetilnya (it's really quite haphazard). Nonten ne síra nauva mára. Laumë, ná vá. Inyë umin ista mana quetë. Ná úquétima, ná únyárima. Andavë laituvalmel. Carnen sin nil, meldenya (it's not much and you'd probably not care for it, but I'm having trouble with words and it is an easier form of expression for me sometimes):
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/equinoxe/agiftforsomeone.jpg