I lost a friend to breast cancer last month – author Linda Sanders. I first met Linda when I went to work for KnowledgeWorks. Linda was the go-to freelance writer I was encouraged to use in my first web development project for the foundation. Every word of content on the site was drafted by her. We didn’t always see eye to eye – I railed against using rhetoric I felt placed greater distance between educators and real world advocates. Linda usually won. In the end I think her language set the right tone and meaning.
I have to admit that it was easy to put myself in her shoes – the audience of freelance writerly-types who are often underpaid or underappreciated – and who take great pride in their craft. I didn’t put up much of a fight. I knew what it was like – working late at night crafting language for a client. Except Linda didn’t have to guess at content particulars – she knew them. I also admired her greatly and loved the autographed copy she gave me for my daughter of her just published book, Maggie’s Monkeys. Tonight we will celebrate her life, appropriately, at Grailville. Although I have always wanted to go there I wish it were for a celebration of her life that she was present for. Isn’t it true with friends that they can come to us when we least expect it – or think we need it – but it is never an intrusion and we always seem to have room for them?
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