Hi everyone,
I’ve been debating whether to speak publicly about this, but I’ve decided I’d rather you know why I’m stepping back from my writing duties for a week or two. There will be a delay in response time, so just bear with me.
This past Friday, the 24th, my youngest brother suffered a random slip and fall type injury in his apartment. It progressed from being only a bad bump on the head to, later, provoking a violent seizure which no one witnessed, to causing potentially severe brain damage and then, finally, to absolutely no hope of survival in only a handful of hours on Friday evening. The death certificate was formally issued on Sunday, but we knew almost right away that he was gone.
I’m sure you can imagine the shock we’re all dealing with right now. I’d like to ask that you all do me a personal favor today and hug everyone who will let you. Tell everyone you can what they mean to you. Our time on this earth is so damned short, so please don’t take it for granted. Celebrate each day as best you can. As much as it’s hurting us, we do see that it was my brother’s time to go. The signs were there, but in his passing he is giving the gift of life to others through organ donation, so PLEASE consider supporting those programs in your own ways. My brother will get to live on through so many others and it’s been a tremendous comfort to my family.
He was a sweet, selfless guy who always did for others and never did nearly enough for himself (much to my annoyance, honestly). If you’re the praying sort, I’d be grateful if you could say a prayer for him to ease him on his way to a better place.
My readers and colleagues in this wonderfully weird and gay corner of the romantic fiction world mean more to me than you can ever know. You have enriched my life, expanded my mind, filled my heart, and I have so much love for each and every one of you. I’d hug you all if I could.
With gratitude,
Lynn
