He told me that Marija Stephens of Holding Court blog had been killed in a tragic car accident. I must admit I did not comprehend it at first and when I did, I had to have him repeat what I thought I had just heard.
As many of the bloggers in blogland I knew Marija through her witty, insightful, intelligent , well written blog. I also had the privilege of emailing her about a post that pulled at my heart strings. It was the post about her father. We both had written Fathers day post about our Dads who were no longer with us. She left me a wonderful comment and I emailed her. The thoughtful and wonderful person Marija was emailed me about how I had touched her.
That is the kind of person she was. The kind that would take time to contact someone to let them know how she felt. A person that was warm , kind and encouraging to others.
I always could tell that she was a woman that knew what she wanted and would work hard to get it. She was also a woman that would never let anything get in the way of her top priority, her family.
She loved them fiercely and she liked them as people and liked to spend time with them. The love and respect she had for her husband Cory or Mr. Court, as she would call him on her blog, was so evident.
You see Marija was a talented designer and the kind of writer that never wrote about something that was not important to her. In her writings you could learn so much about the woman behind the words, because her words were always typed with honesty and integrity.
The last words she wrote to me personally were at the end of her email,
I hope you find yourself in Chicago some day. I would love to share a cocktail or a coffee and learn more about you. Seems we have much in common. Blogging can be truly beautiful...
Have a wonderful week. And from the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
Love,
Marija
I am sorry to say I will now never have the opportunity of meeting this wonderful lady. She will be missed by so many of us in blog land.
I couldn't believe when i heard about this....so sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to Marija . I read her husbands post , its hard to understand sometimes why someone so full of life is taken away.......
ReplyDeleteKaryn
I don't know what to say Kathysue....somethings are just too sad.
ReplyDeleteThis is beyond sad. So precious that you got to communicate personally with each other. A special memory for you Kathysue.
ReplyDeleteAngex
I'm so sorry you've lost a lovely friend. I've read about this several times today and it just leaves me empty every time. Children losing their mother is just too cruel. A terrible, sad loss..Rachaelxx
ReplyDeleteKathysue I am SO sorry. How devastating for her family. They will be in my thoughts and prayers. You know- I've spent this last 2 weeks away from home feeling sorry for myself as we prepare for a major life change. A tragedy such as this puts everything into perspective and reminds us to live our lives with all the wonder and love we can, no matter where that might be
ReplyDelete{{{Hugs, friend}}} xoxo Pattie
What a wonderful tribute to her. I had the same experiences with her, as it seems everyone in the blog world did. My heart breaks for her family.
ReplyDeleteKathysue, I don't think I have even seen her blog. I am truly sorry for this horrible tragedy. What a wonderful tribute you have written.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Kim
I am so sorry! This is just terrible! I can sense your heartbreak in your post!
ReplyDeleteI will say prayers for all involved!
Please know that I am thinking about you today!
God bless!
Cathy
Such a horrible, heartbreaking loss. I just read her husband's post and feel so sad and empty.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful Kathysue
ReplyDeleteHow tragic...She will be truly missed. A beautiful tribute to a beautiful person.
ReplyDeleteHow sad Kathysue. I just went and read her husbands tribute to her. It was beautiful. My prayers are with them.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, ~Melissa
So very sad! I feel for all those who knew her, whether in person or through emails and her blog. I did not know her, but feel so very sad at the hole she has clearly left in so many people's hearts!
ReplyDeleteKat
A lovely tribute Kathysue.
ReplyDeleteI read her husband's tribute earlier and it broke my heart that he and the children will no longer have this beautiful, vibrant, loving person in their lives.
ReplyDeleteAn accident that does not make sense and breaks so many hearts...my prayers are with you and her family & friends.
I felt compelled to illustrate her home - it brought comfort to me - knowing how hard she worked to design such a home and an artful life.
ReplyDeleteI feel for her family, she really left an indelible mark.
pve
I did not know her, but I wish I had.
ReplyDeleteKathysue, this is heartbreaking. I loved her comments on my blog . She was a wonderful lady. I read your email and just started to cry. You did a beautiful job with this post.
ReplyDeleteKristin
I am so sorry for your loss and her family! I will keep them in my prayers. It is too tragic! So many questions..... it is heartbreaking. I am glad you had the communication with her. I wish I had known her. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to comprehend how our dear Marija is no longer here. I too counted her a close friend and we would email each other. Though we never met we had an instant connection and I loved & looked forward to her posts and emails.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of Nigel, Olivija, Cory, her mother Mary, brother Phil and all the other who were close to her, part of her real life, is unbearable. Despite the cruel twist of fate her amazing husband took time to write me a lovely and comforting email yesterday. I counted Marija a role model for how life should be lived, family should be valued and love shared. I now know Cory is like her - just as beautiful, genuine and warm.
I miss Marija so much and it hurts so much to know there will be no continuation to our growing friendship.
Thank you for your beautiful tribute. My thoughts are with you as well.
xx Charlotta
KS, you were so sweet and kind
ReplyDeletewhen you let me know about Marija's
untimely passing. Your tribute
here is so lovely and I know that
she is smiling to know that she
touched you and so many others.
What an elegant woman and so full
of grace.... a lot like you. I can
see why you forged a bond! I was
just getting to know her and this
is such a sad loss, most especially
for her family. 'Lots of love to
you, today. xx Suzanne
I, too, had never met her but we had shared a few emails as well. She was absolutely lovely and sweet with her words and it's so heartbreaking she is gone and so heartbreaking that her family is left without a mother, wife, daughter and sister. It truly reminds us how quickly life can change and how much we need to cherish who we have.
ReplyDeleteKathysue, What a wonderful tribute to this sweet lady. I can see how you two had alot in common with your love of life and family and why you two must have bonded. I didn't know her but reading your comments and her husbands lets me know what a truly special person she was. I can tell she will be missed terribly by alot of people.
ReplyDelete