Anne McCaffrey -
Some of you reading this will know she was a writer of science fiction that often ran side by side with fantasy, making an intoxicating brew that drew her readers back again and again for more. Of those of you that did know that, many will know that on the 21st November 2011 she died at the home in Ireland at the age of 85.
In the heart felt outpourings from her fans certain aspects of this lady character begin to emerge, even to those of us who had never the privilege to meet her or talk to her. From people of all ages it became clear she didn’t just write books. Those books meant something to her readers, and very often changed their lives in some way.
No, that isn’t only my opinion. That’s what these people said as they left their messages, and they ought to know what they were feeling. A fan going by a site name of Valihi Wingsecond said, “I found my best friends, because someone wrote a book. I discovered a place where I was safe, and accepted, because someone wrote a book. I have laughed, cried, loved, and lost, because someone wrote a book. I became a writer, because someone wrote a book. Yesterday, that someone passed away, and I never got to say thank you…”
People coming to the sites often to admitted they had no words to express their sadness, but they just had to come. Others told of how they had grown up with her books, or her books had inspired them. How the books had changed their lives, helped them through their bleakest times, gave them courage, or brought friends into their lives.
Those lucky enough to have met her delighted in her company, admired, respected and loved her. They have a wealth of humorous anecdotes like the man with the site name Mitch who said, “ … She was always such fun when she dropped by the chatroom, and was an absolute SCREAM in 2004 when I went to D*Con and got to meet her. (honestly, saying ‘sex’ to check if a microphone is on, in a roomful of people … and that electric wheelchair of hers! She was a regular Evil Kneivel in that thing!)
Imagine writing books that delight people of all generations, that influence their lives positively, that inspires them or makes them laugh, that brings people together or is a safe place for them to go. Imagine being the kind of person that inspires friendship, love, gratitude, and courage. Imagine a person that gives generations of happiness … If you are imagining those kinds of books and that kind of person you are imagining Anne McCaffrey.
I never got to meet her, I wish I had. I am one of the many that she gave great pleasure to. I am another person that she inspired.
Thank you Anne.
