Safe Home

Amanda's Anthony is dying. I am getting all her twitter updates all day. Crying off and on, because someone who I love is hurting.

Thank you to Neil Gaiman for writing this piece on what is happening right now. He called it 'Existing in the Pause,' and it's very apt.

I have been trying to explain to my husband why it hurts so much. It's something I have to work out anyway. I think of us, the fans of Amanda, as an us. As a family. We trust each other. We may never have met, but still. If a concert came to town and someone was going and needed a place to crash, I'd probably offer up my spare room no questions asked. Because, you're family.

And Anthony, as much as her real father, is Amanda's dad. And she's my sister. Or cousin. I love her, she's family.

Reading the Art of Asking is like curling up with a good friend and hearing them tell their life story after having a couple glasses of wine. Like watching them vomit their heart on the pavement.

After I finished it the first time, I wanted to immediately reread it with a highlighter. And then get some paint and work on the cover. I hate to alter books - they are booooks. And I worship them. But this one is crying for it. That cool gray cover hiding under the dust jacket. Like bare skin. It's Amanda's skin.

But she made me think about the nature of family. And friends as family. And love. And Anthony is a big part of that. She's (and he) have inspired my own writing. And I have Anthony's books on my wishlist. Now would probably be a good time to read them. Go here for more information on Anthony's work.

Safe home Anthony. Safe home.