Stephen C. McKinney Memorial Thread (1969-2001)

[Dromond]

I'm no good at dealing with loss, whether it's the loss of someone in my family or someone like Tracie who has been a member of this greater family at KW.

But I just finished watching Return of the King, whose farewell scene seems fitting and even more bittersweet now after coming here. LOTR was something Tracie held dear to her heart (if I'd said precious, I'm sure she would have smiled). So I don't find it hard to picture her on that last ship, standing with Gandalf and Frodo. Sailing out of Middle-earth, they "beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."

Ah, Matrixman...your words are sweet. That's how I would say it too... those dear to her,departed, waiting,waiting for Tracie, to sail with her to the undying lands.

[Orlion]

I'm no good at dealing with loss, whether it's the loss of someone in my family or someone like Tracie who has been a member of this greater family at KW.

But I just finished watching Return of the King, whose farewell scene seems fitting and even more bittersweet now after coming here. LOTR was something Tracie held dear to her heart (if I'd said precious, I'm sure she would have smiled). So I don't find it hard to picture her on that last ship, standing with Gandalf and Frodo. Sailing out of Middle-earth, they "beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."

Ah, Matrixman...your words are sweet. That's how I would say it too... those dear to her,departed, waiting,waiting for Tracie, to sail with her to the undying lands.

That post reminded me of the song at the end of Fellowship of the Ring, which seems particularly relevent at the moment:

When the cold of Winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain

But in dreams
I can hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again

When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And back again

We all love you, Tracie.

[SoulBiter]

I'm no good at dealing with loss, whether it's the loss of someone in my family or someone like Tracie who has been a member of this greater family at KW.

But I just finished watching Return of the King, whose farewell scene seems fitting and even more bittersweet now after coming here. LOTR was something Tracie held dear to her heart (if I'd said precious, I'm sure she would have smiled). So I don't find it hard to picture her on that last ship, standing with Gandalf and Frodo. Sailing out of Middle-earth, they "beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."

I agree.... What a fitting tribute...... Tracie... I know you can hear us on some spiritual level and we all love you so much!! What a great gift you were given, for Tracie to be able to come back from the brink and spend Christmas with her family!

[Avatar]

What a great gift you were given, for Tracie to be able to come back from the brink and spend Christmas with her family!

--A

[lucimay]

thanks mm. that is perfect.

[StevieG]

We all love you Tracie. MM, that is a nice analogy. I'm feeling heavy in the heart, but it's just for me, I know you are perfectly content Tracie. God bless.

[Heart Song]

Hello everyone.

On behalf of the family, I have volunteered to come here to Kevin’s Watch with the sad news that Tracie has passed. At 1:18am this morning (January 2, 2010) she opened her eyes, smiled at Russ and said “I love you.” At 1:21am she opened her eyes again, smiled and went to Heaven. As you can all imagine, the family is devastated, yet they know that she is no longer in any pain. Please keep them in your hearts and prayers as they struggle through this time of grief. I am sure that they will eventually come to Kevin’s Watch again, because they know that Tracie loved it here.

God bless you all,

Anna

[rdhopeca]

Like everyone else, I am amazed at her strength. My thoughts are with you all in this difficult time.

[Menolly]

My immediate response to the news. Please, I pray it is not taken in any way other than what I intend...

"Hark the Herald Angels sing..."

Be welcomed in His warm embrace, Furls.
We will miss your Light here, but rejoice you can stand tall besides Stephen once again.

[Savor Dam]

...and the chorus of Angels is strenghtened with another clear pure voice.

Here we cannot help our tears for the loss of friend and inspiration, but the sure knowledge of the company she is in brings great comfort. Her voice will continue to be heard, as she heard their voices.

For all her family and friends:

[dlbpharmd]

It's a cliche to say that she was the best of us, because we all know that she was. She and Fist were my first friends here. I remember emailing pictures of my oldest daughter to her after I joined and then pics of my baby girl when she was born in 2004. We had some good talks on MSN Saturday nights, way back when.

I lost another friend to cancer on Christmas morning. She was only 38. Man, what a terrible week this has been.

Godspeed, Furlsy.

[Cagliostro]

I didn't know Furls except for her contributions here. I'm not particularly religious, but I do find myself quoting Watership Down at times like these.

My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today.

[Dromond]

Though expected, I am profoundly saddened by the news. Furls Fire was special, and I will miss her.

My thoughts are with you all, Russ, Brooke, Jordan, and everyone. Like Tracie, your amazing strength has shone brightly here on Kevinswatch.

[wboykin]

My heart is heavy with the news of her passing ... and at the same time I rejoice in the fact that she is now free from pain and is experiencing wonderful things far beyond our imagining!

[SoulBiter]

...and the chorus of Angels is strenghtened with another clear pure voice.

Here we cannot help our tears for the loss of friend and inspiration, but the sure knowledge of the company she is in brings great comfort. Her voice will continue to be heard, as she heard their voices.

For all her family and friends:

So say we all !!!!

[lucimay]

I didn't know Furls except for her contributions here. I'm not particularly religious, but I do find myself quoting Watership Down at times like these.

My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today.

/nod nod

another perfect sentiment. thanks cag.

i was listening to this song when tracie passed. odd isn't it?

Code: Select all

Time marches on
I learn to crawl, I learn to walk
You couldn't stop me from running
Stop me from running
Before I heard my name
Before I learned to talk
I knew I was running to something
Running to something
Into the arms of my god

Time marches on
And I awaken to the world
And I'm still running to something
Running to something far away
Unseen by the others in the herd
I'm only running to something
Running to something
Into the arms of my dream

I can't stop running
I can't stop running
I have a vision of myself breaking the finish line string
I still can hear it
This dream is calling
So I'll keep running

Time marches on
I start to trip, I start to fall
And now I'm running from something
Running from something on my tail
Can't turn to look, can't hear the call
I'm only running from something
Running from something
Running in fear I will fail

Meanwhile
Time marches on and on
And the strength to run may soon be gone
Now I watch the young ones coming
And it's on their legs I'm running
Into the arms of my god
~ todd rundgren ~

[Worm of Despite]

For me, it's hard to believe. She doesn't feel gone. She was the type of person so uniquely positive and alive that I expect her to log in here any minute, to leave another post or be chatting. It's a strange feeling. I can imagine what she'd say--the positive emotions at least. I hope I get to meet her, one day.

Tracie is still with her family, just in a different way I think--in the presence of the house and the things that were hers. And at the same time she's in a better place. It's a beautiful world to have had someone like her, and yet very sad at times too.

[Xar]

For me, it's hard to believe. She doesn't feel gone. She was the type of person so uniquely positive and alive that I expect her to log in here any minute, to leave another post or be chatting. It's a strange feeling. I can imagine what she'd say--the positive emotions at least. I hope I get to meet her, one day.

Tracie is still with her family, just in a different way I think--in the presence of the house and the things that were hers. And at the same time she's in a better place. It's a beautiful world to have had someone like her, and yet very sad at times too.

Beautiful words, L.F.... I haven't had the chance to speak very much with her, but in those occasions when we did, I was always struck by how full of love and joy she seemed to be. Our last conversation was a couple of months ago, on Facebook, after she had already endured some of the ordeal she went through, and yet she was... uplifting. The world became smaller somehow, even though she isn't truly gone.

We're going to miss you so much, Furlsie...

And to Russ, Brooke and all the other members of Tracie's family... we're all here, if you ever need us.

[Creator]

Sad news. If any one and any family deserves our prayers of support, it is Furl's My prayers are with you.

I offer what I prayed when my mother passed from cancer: I was fortunate to be by her side - "Open your arms wide, God. One of your own is coming to you."

[Dragonlily]

Blessed release, blessed soul.