I met Char online and I have no recollection how I arrived on her site just over two years ago, but her photography instantly blew me away and inspired me. She confided in me once that growing up, she despised the name Charlane but as an adult she came to accept it. I told her I thought it was beautiful and unique.
I think that really surprised her.
When she opened her etsy shop, I asked her to list the photograph you see below. I’d seen it on her Flickr site and had always admired it. Of course, my photo of it here doesn’t do justice to it at all. I have it framed under glass. But it will now hold a deeper meaning for me when I look at it every day.
To know that I’ll never be able to visit her in her imaginary triangle house on the beach “where children laugh and adults giggle and the air smells like warm cinnamon cookies baking in the oven” is hard on my soul.
For now, I will imagine that sweet Southern girl in heaven with her mama, having a simple lunch by the sea and watching the waves dance as the salt air makes their hair wild and wooly and they laugh belly laughs that make their sides ache. (these are basically her words, from a post written recently.)
I loved her photography. I loved her writing. I loved her sweet e-mails. And I, among so many others, will sadly miss her.
49 comments:
OH NO...what in the world. I followed her and she followed me. I've been out of pocket lately and shocked. What has happened. I'm very sad.
I am very sorry to hear of this ! sorry for the loss of what sounds like a very lovely person! May she rest in peace in gods hands !
How very sad, even though I don't know her. I wonder sometimes what happens to blogs when their authors die; what would happen to MINE when I die? I know, it would go silent.... But what would my blogpals think, some of whom I've met, others who I only know and love online? How would they know what happened? How would I ever know what happened if one of their blogs goes inexplicably silent? Awful thoughts....
I have seen a couple of posts about "Char" today and see that I missed out on something very special by not having discovered her blog. Condolences. How nice you have one of her photographs.
So sorry to hear this.
Please do not tell me we are talking about the same Char...?
Cricket
What happened to her?
This is a lovely tribute Kate. It's such a loss for everyone who enjoyed her kindness, her wit and yes, her beautiful photography.
I have a feeling she may be out playing in that studio she said she wanted...or maybe in the kitchen baking something delicious with her mother. She was a blessing to so many here.
I'm not entirely sure what happened but I know it involved her heart.
~ C.G.
I discovered Char a few months ago and came to love her words and photos. Although I had not come to know her well enough yet, I feel from some beautiful tributes today, that I missed out on knowing a beautiful soul.
I so wish there was a way for her family to know how special she was to all of us!
so sad....nice tribute...
What a nice well written tribute.
nellie
I'm sorry. I read of this sad news yesterday on another blog I read regularly. I seem to have "known" a lot of bloggers who "knew" her but I had no direct connection, unfortunately. Last night, I looked at her Flickr photostream and loved her photos. It's always so shocking when someone dies suddenly.
Her photos of early spring cherry blooms this year truly helped heal my heart. I hope she knows how her beauty seeking soul made and will make a difference.
and a hug for you , Kate, who clearly knew her much better than I.
It's so hard to hear sad news like this although I was not familiar with her blog. So glad you have a wonderful photograph of hers to remember your 2 years of blogging friendship. I'm so sorry to hear this Kate. Hugs, ~Lili
I hate that I did not know her but this is a really lovely tribute.
i did not know her, but read about her on beth's blog today. she sounded like a wonderful soul...
What a lovely tribute Kate... she sounds wonderful! Am sorry I didn't get to know her myself...
Hugs
BB
beautiful tribute, so lovely. just got to know her today from your post. so talented. hugs to you. pam in texas
oh this is a really special tribute .. i am so sad about this loss .. cannot believe it xo ELK
I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. She sounds like she was a special person.
Mary
My goodness...just knocked the wind out of me today when I heard the news. You are so lucky to have one of her photos. My goodness...what a treasure. Beautiful tribute Kate!!! Gosh, I will miss her so much!!!
xo
I am so sorry that you have lost your friend.
I'm sorry for your loss.
The photo is beautiful.
That's terribly sad. Thinking of all her friends and loved ones and fellow bloggers who lost someone special. The photographs are so beautiful. She sounds like someone who lived life to the fullest.
This Good Life
Just saw this on Mary's site...I have never been there. So sad.
I actually think you may have first found her through a link on my photo blog -- she inspired me to learn about adding texture to a photo, and I posted my first pathetic attempt, along with her link.
I still can't really process her death. I can't believe that she will never post another beautiful photo, or write another post filled with laughter and joy and wisdom...
I hope her blog will remain up so that everyone can go back and read all her posts. They are truly amazing.
xoxo
What a beautiful post. The picture is totally stunning, thank you for allowing us to see this on your blog.
Charlane will be so proud to know she has been appreciated through life, and people continue to appreciate her still.
CJ xx
So sorry. :(
xoxox
I never met Charlane, but something tells me I would have liked her.
I had a similar experience recently with a client who passed away. I'd never met her in person but we'd enjoyed many talks. I had a sense that something was amiss and, sure enough, a few days later a friend of hers contacted me to let me know she'd passed away. I was surprised at how deeply I felt the loss, as I sat there in tears at my desk. Good people always leave a mark on your heart.
xoxo
Carolynn
I'm sorry.
Oh no, this is heartbreaking. I wondered why she hadn´t updated her blog in awhile, she was looking into moving and I thought she would be sharing some lovely photos of homes with studios where she could continue her beautiful writing and photography...
Another reminder how precious life is....the photo you have from her is stunning like I imagine she was through reading her blog...
So sorry to hear of your loss Kate. My thoughts and prayers will include you today as always.
I still can hardly believe this is true. Char was a friend, a fellow blogger, a sweet and wonderful woman. Extremely smart and talented. I wish we knew a bit more of the circumstances.
Hopefully I'll have time to do a little write up on my own blog tomorrow. Today my daughter is graduating. Happiness and sadness all at once. I will miss Char.
So sorry to hear of this today, I had visited her blog a few times, and did not know her well, but even through those few encounters could tell she had a special soul. Sending hugs and love to you today.
The picture is beautiful and I am glad that you have this to hold onto just now.
Such a lovely tribute, I am sure would be both honored and embarrassed ... hugs to you my friend ...
what a small world we live in to make friends with people we've never met, only to become such good friends.
I am still reeling too Kate...I will miss her tremendously. I find myself going back to her blog and rereading it...I only wish I had bought some of her photos but I never could decide which ones to get!
So sorry to hear this news. When we lose a friend, whether distant or far, it leaves a hole in our hearts forever.
Thinking of you and her family, and I agree, she had a lovely name.
Kat
So sad to hear.
What a loving tribute. Yours was another post that brought tears to my eyes. I hope you don't mind if I link to your post. I'm gathering all the posts I can find for Char. It does my heart good to read them all, as it does many of her friends I'm sure.
Im following so many that knew a wonderful Lady . I never did and feel I missed out and Big time.
Wonderful post and the image is fantastic.
Im so very sorry for your loss and I can see it is a big one.
I was so shocked and deeply saddened to hear of this earlier today. She was one of the first to visit my blog over 4 years ago and I have been "friends" with her ever sense. We tired to meet up one weekend in b'ham to go to the botanical gardens but it didnt wirk out. She will be genuinely missed.
Beautiful tribute to a genuinely beautiful & good person. I will miss - many will miss her. But heaven is a little brighter with her there. I so wish I would have purchased one of her beautiful works. Life really is so unexpected & short. Thank you for this.
I didn't know her but from what I understand, that would be my big loss. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend, Kate. This was a lovely tribute.
Kate...i just was over at Beth's and saw this for the first time....i am shocked and and filled with sadness....i visited her often and she visited me as well...
i enjoyed her beautiful photography and kind words...although we never met...i felt we had a special friendship in this place we are all so lucky to have known as blogland.....
your tribute to her here is so lovely and heartfelt...it leaves me with tears in my eyes for such a wonderful woman...she will be missed....
remembering Char
and sending love,
kary
I am so sorry!
She sounds like someone I would have enjoyed knowing.
How sad. I went and read her last blog post. It's strange to think that a few days later she was gone.
Oh my - I hadn't heard this until just now. I have a gorgeous photo of a poppy that she sent me as the winner of one of the "pay it forward" memes we all used to do. She was a sweet lovely person and I will miss her.
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