It is with great sadness that I share with you that a friend in the blog universe has passed away. Jenn See apparently died of a heart aneurysm early this morning.
Jenn See was part of the triumvirate of the Following My Fish site along with Mysfit and Oldben. I cannot begin to express my sadness. It is hard to describe what a relationship is when you do not meet someone in person but converse solely through the internet. Are they a friend, an acquaintance, what? There is an absence of completeness to a relationship in which you do not see the person face to face and yet there is a depth of relationship that is achieved when you share of yourself with others and have them do the same with you.
Part of my goal in starting to blog was to meet others with interests similar to mine…interests that are not necessarily shared by everyone around me…and in turn to discover new interests through my interactions with others. That in a nutshell is exactly what happened with my relationship with Jenn See. Shared interests in the work of Neil Gaiman is what led me to her site in the first place.
Jenn See was…is…a constant source of inspiration. Her photography site Tourist of Everything never ceases to amaze. Jenn See was a girl who carried her camera with her everywhere and could not only see but capture beauty and wonder in the most simple things. Her portraits of people were always so candid, and so real. Jenn See wrote incredible poetry as well and had an artistic soul. When I told Mary about Jenn See’s death this morning she commented on the opening image to today’s Friday Favorites. The heart picture turned out to be an oddly appropriate visual representation of just what Jenn See was. From her heart poured inspiration and artistic expression that grew and blossomed and sowed seeds into the lives of those who came into contact with her. At least that is what happened to me in the context of this online world and I’m sure it was that way for those she really knew and who were a part of her life.
I have ached all day. Not for my loss, it is selfish to even consider that I have lost anything. It is for Jenn See’s family, her friends (especially you Mysfit) and for Oldben. All I could think of today was how I would feel if I lost Mary. I couldn’t imagine life without her and those thoughts have had me hurting for you all day. I wish I knew words to say to make things better…to make things right…but I don’t know anything to say that will comfort you. I’m so very, very sorry.
Its is strange how the world works. The first comment that I could find on my site from Jenn See was her recommending the music of Regina Spektor (something I am extremely grateful for) and in an odd bit of symmetry one of the last posts she ever made was about Regina’s latest album, Begin to Hope. The last “conversation” that I had with Jenn See was in regards to the Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett novel Good Omens, a book that will forever be associated in my mind with her: “carl v! good omens rocks!
okay, that’s enough exclamations, but seriously, i just reread it for the first time in awhile (gave away every paperback copy i’ve had, & hadn’t picked up the new one i bought to be signed because i was enjoying its pristine condition for awhile…) & it really is smashing.”
I don’t know what Jenn See was doing during her last hours on earth but it hurts to think of a book laying by the bedside table never to be finished. Poems not yet completed. Pictures on her camera that were meant to be posted. Treasure life people. And treasure your relationships with others in person and online. You never know how much you can touch people with what you say and do. That has come home so strongly today. Love those around you and live, really live, because no matter the years you have on this earth life is short. I will miss the inspiration of Jenn See’s life and art tremendously. Please send your thoughts and prayers out to her friends and family. They desperately need them in this hour of devastation.
Carl, I am very sorry. How sad. . .very, very sad. My prayers are with Jenn See’s family and friends.
Carl, I’m sorry. She seemed really young. I looked at her photography and see the art, the genius in it. What a sad loss. I’ll miss seeing her name and comments on your blog.
Death is not the end, it is the turning out of a lamp for the coming of the dawn.
Carl, I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, Jenn. Especially hard to bear is that she was so young.
Hey Carl,
Thanks, you said much that we all wanted to say but just couldn’t find the words for. I’m so glad you mentioned the Friday Favourite image. I saw it yesterday, and I wanted to comment on what a mirror it was for this whole mad tragedy, but just couldn’t bring myself to do it. We’ll miss her.
Jenn See’s enthusiasm for life and art were so apparent in her life…
My heart goes out to Jenn See’s friends and family.
Wow. I look at her picture, and she just gleams happiness from the inside.
I’m not quite sure how to feel about this. It has defenetly made me think about a lot
of things.
to Jenn See’s family and friends,
I’m so sorry.My prayers are with you.
It’s hard to really fathom the things we can’t even explain to ourselves.
thank you for all of your kind words, carl. you are the fish’s first and foremost fan, as i recollect. you’re choice of photo to memorialize jenn is perfect. it is my favorite and encapsulates her essence so very perfectly.
I also wish to send out my condolences to Jenn See’s family and friends.
For you especially oldben I am glad that I chose that picture. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts here and have made sure Jenn See’s family knows to come here and to the other sites that have posted tributes so that they may know how much of an impact she had on people’s lives. The celebration of her life is scheduled for Tuesday so I especially encourage your thoughts and prayers for her family and friends on that day.
Carl V. Thank you so much for your beautiful words. I’ve always enjoyed your musings.
I will continue to check in everyday. I will miss her so much. My heart is breaking.
Cynthia is Jenn See’s mother, by the way, please remember her, Mysfit,and Oldben specifically in your prayers. Thank you Cynthia, your daughter was an incredible part of this small internet community and the void that exists because of her passing is really being felt.
The last words of Jenn See’s last post have been ringing in my ears for the last few days:
so i will spend the next few days reveling in the past & in memories, collecting myself in the present, & looking to the future…which promises many new things & much Change, along with all that comes with these things
The words are hauntingly beautiful, especially at this moment. Though it wasn’t your intention Jenn See, that is one heck of a send off…
wow, her family & friends will be in my prayers as well.
The blogosphere does bring like minds together and we forge a “bond” with them. How very sad that such a young life is gone so soon. Your tribute is very touching.
so, you went back and read all her old comments on your blog, too?
it’s strange, isn’t it? because we only knew her over the internet, so there it is, our whole conversation with her, from start to finish, word for word, stuck in amber. and now stupidly, tragically finished.
It is weird to think about monkeyO. Other than a few emails, which I probably still have on my PC, every “conversation” I had with her is on one of about 3 or 4 sites all of which I could access at any time.
And no, I didn’t read all the comments, just went back to figure out when we first “met”.
Carl – so sorry to hear about the loss of one of your friends. I was especially moved by your last part of a book left unfinished – what a great analogy…
Oh, so very sad. :'(
Jenn See commented on my blog once, and it’s very much her style. She made me smile when she wrote it.
That’s great Rob, thanks for sharing.
Here I am again, still checking in, looking for her and finding her in so many beautiful tributes. Thank you for all your kind words. She was such a part of my everyday life. I loved her to the fullest. We all are grieving for her especially my husband and son.
I think I’ll remember her death every Friday morning for the rest of my life since it was such a shock to go over to the Fish blog and read that Friday when I went to work.
I checked out that Fri. pic(heart) she would have loved it all. Thank you again. Today I go see OldBen to get her things. Will be a very difficult but I hope positive day.
Oh my gosh, Cynthia, this will be such a hard day for the both of you. I’ll say a prayer for you both.
Carl, it was worse than bad. Old Ben and I took turns sobbing in each others arms and sitting crossed legged on the floor. To me, it made it “real”. I kept thinking she was still there even though I knew differently. The past 3 days were very difficult but today seemed a little brighter. Onward and upward. Cyn
I honestly cannot imagine. I’m so glad that you both have a good relationship so that you could do this together, it has to help tremendously.
Thanks for posting these words…and for making a difference in my life today.