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Tina moves on, but can we let go of her twice?

 Tina Downey left us yesterday. 

As I mourn what is a great loss to me personally and to the blogging community in general, I think of this quote:

“I mean, they say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.”

I don’t want Tina’s name to be said the last time any time soon.

I didn’t get to meet her, but we called each other as often as we could, given our time zone differences. We messaged often, and emailed about work and personal stuff.

But these dry words don’t capture what she meant to me, nor does my immediate reaction on Daily (w)rite

She lit up my life in dark times, and she sent me laughter even though that was the hardest thing for her sometimes, physically and mentally, when she was in the hospital, in intensive care. She fought her illness hard, laughed at it. She loved her own family and considered a whole host of bloggers her family, too.

She loved blogging– we saw that during the AZ Challenges we cohosted– and she loved her blog.

So as time goes on, I wish for her name to be taken, over and over again, by bloggers whose lives she’s touched.

I hope the A to Z Challenge lives on and honors her spirit– of giving and support, of kindness and compassion, and staying in good humor– no matter how difficult the times.

I hope Tina Downey is never forgotten. I for one, and I’m sure other bloggers too, would make sure she isn’t.
———
Did you know Tina Downey? What’s your fondest memory of her?

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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23 Comments

  • Tina was my friend, sister and a ear to listen to my woes… we laughed together, we cried together and she would have loved all this attention… thank you.

  • I've never heard that quote but it really got to me. I don't think Tina will be forgotten. She touched the lives of many in such a positive light.

  • Lisa says:

    I didn't know her well at all, but the little contact I had with her was always bright and full of spirit and, she was real. I mean, she didn't cover up things, didn't try and be someone she wasn't. What you saw was what you got. She was an inspiration and I will truly miss her… I'll be posting on 9-8 as well in honor of her.

  • avirandom says:

    RIP Tina

  • Never got to know her… I am sorry for the loss;my deepest condolence to her family and to you too.

  • Datta Ghosh says:

    Amen…May she live forever

  • amanda lee says:

    I met Tina through a Bible study at our church when her oldest was a toddler. She was lovely and real and she said what was on her mind. I miss her terribly.

  • I only knew her for a short time before she passed, but it made a lasting impression. She was so kind, and so encouraging. I'll miss her on A to Z.

  • I'm sorry to hear this sad news. I met Tina during the A to Z Challenge and followed her blog. You can count on me to be a part of the wonderful tribute that is being organised for Tina. She shall be missed.

  • D Biswas says:

    Just to let everyone know, we at A to Z Challenge are organizing a tribute for Tina, with the blogfest linked below. Please take part, and help us spread the word– we'd love to have our blogsphere covered in Sunflowers!

    http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/2014/08/sunflowers-for-tina-september-8-2014.html

    • D Biswas says:

      I'll make a separate post mentioning the blogfest as well, but in the meanwhile, it would really help if you could all take part and celebrate this fab blogger, and a gorgeous, compassionate woman.

  • Arlee Bird says:

    I've saved all the emails I ever got from Tina. I can always go back and smile at her good sense of humor, but I'm saddened that I won't be getting any more of those fun emails.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

  • Pam Margolis says:

    I don't want to let go of her once.

  • Murees Dupé says:

    This is just so sad. All the best to Tina's family.

  • I have fond memories of Tina as she was in charge of the tree house HQ during the Tree Of Life collaborative project last year. She made sure that there were plenty of snacks and always had the mini-bar stocked, ready for us Tree Of Lifers to unwind. We had some great interaction there…
    Such an amazing spirit… it's a great loss…

  • No, Tina won't be forgotten for as long as we, who knew her, continue to write.

    Thanks for such a heartfelt and personal tribute…

  • Jo says:

    No I too won't forget Tina. We have been cyber friends for a while and then the friendship got reinforced by being on her A to Z team this year. It will be a very long time before she is forgotten by our community.

  • sweetyshinde says:

    No, I did not have the fortune to know her. RIP.
    In today's virtual world, I wonder how we will come to know of a demise… by realizing that a certain blogger has not written a post in a long time?
    On the other hand, blogging makes some part of their emotions and thoughts immortal in the virtual world.

  • Susan Scott says:

    Like many of the A-Z blog challenge hosts, she was so unbelievably kind and warm in her willingness and enthusiasm to help flagging souls. She will be sadly missed indeed. Her posts were always so warm and generous .. a delight to come across them in the inbox. Sad, sad, sad …

  • L.G. Smith says:

    Very sorry to hear the news. She was well-liked, and people are showing it all over the blogosphere today.

  • The A to Z Team won't let her be forgotten. Tina the Schedule Woman will live on forever.

  • Joy says:

    I did not know Tina Downey, perhaps that's my misfortune, but from your post I can see what a great person she was. Loss of a loved one is a great weight to bear. I do hope she is remembered and her name is never said "the last time any time soon."

  • Al Diaz says:

    She was for sure an amazing person and we won't forget her.