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

[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.