Friday 6 February 2009

Lisa Ratcliffe

Two posts in one day - this is because I've heard the news of the death of Lisa Ratcliffe, who had been ill for some time. I've been following her blog, HesitantScribe over the past few months as she battled her illness. She was witty, honest, remarkably ebullient and a true fighter who celebrated her life even as it was slipping inexorably away from her. Her last post on the blog was on 29th January and her last words on it were: 'Enough moans for one day I guess. Take it easy and writers ... write!' All around the blogosphere people are saying how much they admired her - and, no doubt, we're all chastened by yet another reminder that we should be getting on with fulfilling our hopes and dreams, whether they're literary hopes and dreams or not. Difficult, when, if you're like me, procrastination is built into your bone marrow. Lisa left a husband and two children - our hearts go out to them.

4 comments:

Karen said...

Lovely words, Laura. Such sad news, but you're right. It should be a wake up call to the rest of us to get on with it, while we still have time x

Denise said...

It's amazing the impact she had on so many of us, without ever meeting her. Another demonstration of the power of words and an amazing woman. I shall miss her.

Lane Mathias said...

Lovely post Lorna

Lisa touched so many people with her vibrancy and her love of life. And when the odds were stacked against her, she was still generous, sharing her words and giving us a good kick up the proverbial. She'd be pleased that we're all taking heed of her words:-)
So write ladies - right:-)

Lorna F said...

Karen, Denise, Lane - thanks for these comments. I'm really going to miss checking out what Lisa has to say on her blog - I've even been back a couple of times, in an absurd hope there might be something more - of course, her husband has written the last post there, so it's totally daft to still want to 'hear' her voice ...