Good evening.
Today would have been Linda’s birthday. She walked on exactly one month ago, on December 28, 2016. Linda left us far too soon, but the positive impact she made in her life and here at Daily Kos is immeasurable. Allowing her closest friends the gift of getting to know her sister, Laura, who was also Lin’s full-time caregiver, was one of the most generous acts in a lifetime of the beautiful, fierce, brilliant and lovable woman who was taken by recurrent cancer only about five weeks from her diagnosis of recurrence.
Laura, a precious gift to Lin's friends, has sustained us in the month since Lin's death with memories, joy, and laughter. Laura and Linda were each others’ worlds. On this day, which would have been a celebration of Linda’s birthday, we celebrate her life. Please share with us your memories of Lin in the comments.
Joy is a lake.
Grief is a river.
You can lose yourself in one; be lost in the other. (Aji)
The more you understand, the more you love; the more you love, the more you understand. They are two sides of one reality. The mind of love and the mind of understanding are the same. (Thich Nhat Hanh)
Linda (aka Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse, Patriot Daily or PD) had 634 followers here on Daily Kos (hat tip to 2thanks). A glance at her profile reveals the many, many groups, projects, and causes Lin devoted her time, energy and incredible organizational abilities. Environmentalist and journalist Bill McKibben wrote these words just days before Linda’s death:
I should do things like write posts here regularly, but I tend to let it slip. That’s why I was always grateful when Linda McClure, aka PatriotDaily, would round me up for one of her blogathons. She helped pioneer a new way to use the web when extraordinary things happened: the early days of the Keystone fight, for instance. It was a smart idea, helping highlight things in ways that single diaries couldn’t. I liked it because it brought so many voices to the table. (emphasis added)
Linda had many seats at her table and welcomed everyone. She especially loved working with young activists, including The Little One, an activist for our future, at age 9 for a climate blogathon. TLO is the daughter of remembrance and Glen the Plumber.
PDNC was diagnosed with cancer around the same time as my mom. My parents told me a few weeks ago that PDNC’s cancer had returned, and that it had spread in her body. PDNC is sick. I know what you're thinking, “ Wow TLO state the obvious.” Yeah I know, but she is important to me and to many, many other people too. When I started this diary Bill Mckibbens’ diary was at the top of the rec list, and as I write this it is still at the top of the rec list. Lets face it, she's awesome.
I know some people don't believe in or don't have hope for things. And sometimes it seems hope itself doesn't accomplish anything. But if you use that hope as fuel and persevere and most importantly believe in yourself you can accomplish much. Hope is important. Hope is something you need to use for everyday life. Sometimes hope doesn't seem like enough, but it is. (emphasis added)
I could tell you about Lin’s many achievements and accomplishments for a week but just noted two that I thought were So Linda, the patient teacher, leading young people to activism and her indomitable spirit. She Who Made Things Happen was one of my nicknames for her.
Another was Miss Cookie. Lin and I were close friends for over ten years. We were both busy, but never too busy for a phone call or email. It was while she was awaiting her first biopsy results and we were on the phone. We were sharing chocolate chip cookies long distance. I wanted to share in her hope, but we both knew cancer never stops taking from us.
“What did he call you?” she asked, hearing my husband or Papi in the background. “Dulce,” and it’s totally untrue but try telling your Cuban family you’re not “sweet” and I promise, nobody will believe you.
I remember Lin that day, hopeful but a bit apprehensive, and I clearly remember her saying “Oh, I love that!” I started to pick up another cookie and felt a need for Lin to have a special name as well. That’s how she became my one and only Miss Cookie, the person who knew me best and whose birthday would have been today.
The Lake For Lin group will post two or three more diaries to remember our beloved friend and Laura’s sister.
My dear Miss Cookie. How I loved you. I will remember.
If you’d like to donate to Linda’s legacy or send a gift, please visit Laura’s You Caring page. Thank you for reading and please share your memories in the comments.