Birthday afterglow

[katallison]

There are times when I absolutely feel far, far luckier than I deserve, and yesterday was one of those occasions.

It wasn't just that my co-workers unexpectedly threw an impromptu party for me, after which my boss wandered into my office to say some really incredibly nice stuff about my work, contributions, etc.

And it wasn't just that Mr. P. took me out for a fantabulous dinner and then (as is his wont) made with the brilliantly-chosen gifts, including -- OMG OMG--a new 19" LCD monitor which I'd been lusting after for months.

Most of all, really, it was all the amazingly kind, generous, gracious words from so many beloved on-line friends, all you wonderful people who've come into my life via fandom. You know, it's funny, I've only been "in" fandom since--what, maybe 1998. So, seven years, which really isn't very long. But it struck me yesterday that in those seven years I've had *far* more true friendship than I ever had in the 45 years preceding them.

When I was a kid, I used to love fantasy novels in which the protaganist had a secret world to escape into--a dream world, an alternate dimension, whatever--that was more *real*, richer and warmer and far more brilliant and amazing than humdrum "reality." And you know what? In dreary middle age, I found online that secret world, which I cherish all the more because I realize how easy it would have been to miss it altogether. And what's really amazing about it is that it *isn't* just a dream-world fantasy; I've gotten to meet a lot of you in person, I'll see a good many of you (though not nearly enough!) in a few weeks at Vividcon.

The dream was always that there was a world somewhere where I could be *who I am* and could find people of brain, passion, heart, wit, who would see me for who I am and dig me and let me be part of their magical world. The reality? is that I really did find those people, and they're not fantasy-world wizards and bards and tedious raven-tressed enchantreses, they're actual human beings who are smart and grouchy and hard-working and stressed and hilarious and outraged and difficult and wonderful. And, it goes without saying, full of brain, passion, heart, and wit.

So, just a soppy love-note to all of you -- when you're feeling grubby and cranky and discouraged, remember that in my magical world you're all heroes. I'm incredibly lucky to know all of you, and I send you gratitude and love.

Comments

[wickdzoot.livejournal.com]

:hugs: What a wonderful day!

[copracat]

*g*

[reginagiraffe]

I was chatting yesterday and the topic of religion came up. I'm a secular humanist but I was raised catholic. I have a friend who's a presbyterian minister and a less-religious person you would be hard-pressed to find. I told my friend that if I could go to a church where I could get community without religion, I'd be there in a flash and she understood exactly what I meant.

But then I found fandom so... *g*

*prays at the alter of slash* (or maybe "preys")

Community is where you find it. Amen.

*hugs Kat*

[leela-cat.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a wonderful day.

Happy belated birthday. I hope that the rest of the year treats you just as well.

Happy Belated Birthday

[namastenancy.livejournal.com]

The best of all to you and for you in the coming year.

Blessings Be,
SF nancy

[cereta.livejournal.com]

Aw, man, now I'm all verklempt. What a lovely post!

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

What a lovely sentiment...and as true for me (and probably most of your f'list) as it is for you.

::smooches::

[panisdead.livejournal.com]

Aww. Happy birthday!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Fandom is a gift of community to those of us who wouldn't have found true community by geographical location. We are lucky indeed to be able to form a collection of villages with like minds and like goals. The first time I walked into a convention, I thought - "My people." I'm never more surrounded by my dearest friends than when I'm all alone with my computer. And one of those dear friends is you.

[umbo.livejournal.com]

*smootch*

[elynross.livejournal.com]

*mwah*

I missed wishing you the best due to... many things, mostly just failing to do so (*g*), but I do so, very much, and having just had my own birthday recently? I know exactly how you feel. Exactly. So. Much. Love.

[boniblithe.livejournal.com]

<3

[bluster.livejournal.com]

You put into words the way I feel about fandom and the friends I have made here, and you said it with eloquence that touched my soul. Yuck, that doesn't sound right. But this is why knowing you has been such a blessing for me...you so very often put into words that which I feel. That sense of connectedness and knowing that someone else out there understands is a priceless gift.

I'm glad you had a good birthday, btw.

[lunaris1013.livejournal.com]

Happy belated, m'dear! It sounds like a fabu day you had!

I love your secret world analogy. It's so very true for so many of us - and so hard to explain to someone that's content to live in the "real" world.

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Missed the actual day, but know my wishes are hearfelt, if a little tardy, that this coming year be the best ever.

[heresluck]

Yay birthday! Yay sappiness! Yay 19" LCD monitor OMG!!!

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

I feel like the Grinch when his heart grows two sizes.

(:

Coming in late...

[planetalyx.livejournal.com]

Ray Vecchio kisses your afterglow.

[tracy-rowan.livejournal.com]

Y'know... I'm glad you get to see how loved you are sometimes.

[j-bluestocking.livejournal.com]

Happy belated birthday! (Yes, isn't it wonderful? We're in a secret society! With passwords and magical powers.)

[sinensiss.livejournal.com]

how nice to read this! and how well you express something I feel, too. happy birthday, dear Kat.

[rustler.livejournal.com]

I've been very sporadic on LJ recently, but I'm glad I'm not *too* terribly belated in wishing you a happy birthday! Here's hoping the soppy glow is a long and lasting one. :-)

[basingstoke.livejournal.com]

19" monitor birthday yay!

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Hey! Nobody told me that it was your birthday! *glares at flist*

Ah, well. Happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful day so it's all good.

And what a lovely post! :)

[flambeau.livejournal.com]

And I missed it, waugh! I hug you now instead. *HUG*

[estrella30.livejournal.com]

I love this post.

I LOVE THIS POST!

You managed, yet again, to somehow get across the point I've been thinking about fo so long, only you did it succinctly and eloquently. You are an absolute star to me.

*hugs hard*

Thank you for this!

[hetrez.livejournal.com]

I missed wishing you a happy birthday the other day, so I will wish it to you now. And I hope you know we are all sending our love and gratitude to you back every day.

[brynwulf]

Kat, just a fly-by to tell you that although I did not post a public happy birthday in my blog (cause you know...working now...moving...blah blah blah), I thought about you evertime I saw someone else's wishes and was really hoping it was a great day for you, because you, of all, deserve so much.

I love you, woman. You're just a great all around person and someone I'd be proud to hang with, with or without fandom.

[axiom_of_stripe]

So, just a soppy love-note to all of you -- when you're feeling grubby and cranky and discouraged, remember that in my magical world you're all heroes.

aww. you're like a hobbit, giving presents on your birthday. *hugs you*

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

Aww. :-) Back at ya.

[tehomet.livejournal.com]

*blinks hard for several minutes* Thank you for a lovely post.

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

What a fabulous post this is. I'd never thought of fandom using the metaphor you're using, but I know exactly what you mean -- I feel that way about it, too.

I'm so glad we're here. :-)