Vichnaya Pam'yat, Aussiegirl

The world just lost a rare treasure in the passing of blogger AussieGirl.

I had never actually met Aussiegirl in the flesh. We had never even spoken on the phone. Yet I considered her a dear friend. Ever supportive and encouraging, she was a breath of fresh air and a ray of sunshine. Truly a rare and precious gift.

Aussiegirl launched her blog as a tribute to her parents who came to the United States from the USSR where they had survived the Holodomor and communist persecution, then being shipped off during WWII as forced labourers under the Nazis, living in a DP camp and then fighting attempts at repatriation to the USSR (and to certain death) under the Yalta agreement.

This was a woman who appreciated her parents' experiences and sacrifices. And to honour them, she encouraged other bloggers, including me, to get out there and do their duty as "citizen journalists," all the while fighting for her life. She sent me many encouraging and helpful emails, and we often exchanged pleasantries as well as commiserating with and comforting each other during low times. How she found the energy to spread such genuine love and befriend so many total strangers is beyond me.

She was in my life for far too short a time. I shall miss not only her wise counsel and support, but also her wit and wisdom, and the spunk that allowed her to share it.

If you haven't yet visited the late Aussiegirl's blog, do go there and read the archives. You will be doing yourself a favour. It's called Ultima Thule and is here.