I frequently think about some of the wonderful people we have lost here at the Archive. People who have made a difference in the lives of others.
Christina, of course, springs first to mind. She was a most wonderful, loving woman who extended her help to anyone in need who came here. Her reassurances and her help with some of the difficulties of transition were wonderful. I had the privilege of meeting her once, and I can attest that Christina was one of the most huggable women I have ever met. Her love for others was very clear to all around her. I think of her often.
My time with Bboy was much too brief. He and I sat at Talulas kitchen table and talked one memorable day. He was caring and highly intelligent. Off the Archive, he is best remembered for his work with children. A very kind and caring young man.
LuvPain was fun to be around, though he was very quiet and low-key the time that he visited out west. Everyone at the Portland MoM enjoyed visiting with him. At the East Coast MoM he was much more out-going and his fun side clearly showed. I have some very nice photos of some of his tattoos to remember him by.
I only spoke with DonFL a couple of times on the telephone, though we did exchange many emails. Don was studying to be a physicians assistant when he died unexpectedly of his chronic physical problems. (His mother found his body in his apartment when she went to check up on him after not have heard from him for some time.) One of Dons goals, as a trained medical technician, was to be able to help those with gender problems of various sorts. His thread on Chemical Castration (
http://www.eunuch.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12114) was one effort toward this end. He had his data thoroughly checked by experts before posting it. Dons health problems were exacerbated by continuing effects of the horrific sexual and physical abuse that he received from his step-father when he was 12 ice pick through his penis, vice-grips on his testicles, etc. I cant imagine a punishment sufficient for the man, who fled and has never been caught. (Dons sister did shoot at him, but she missed.)
Dingbat and I exchanged many emails during the brief time that she was on the Archive. She was arranging a speaking tour that would have brought her to my neighborhood before she was killed by a drunk driver. Her discovery of the Archive had extended her efforts on behalf of those who dont easily fit the gender dichotomy. I know that she would have made important contributions to the cause well beyond the Archive.
They have touched us all
.
for all that you mean to us.