On Friday I learned of the death of Thomas Hine, someone whom I did not know in person, but who I followed what she shared of himself and his creativity via his blogs. It was sad, sad news indeed, not just as a loss of what he may have gone on to create but more importantly a loss to those he loved and loved him - his wife Lunar, their little daughter and the community of friends that surrounded them.

I tried to make a comment on the post on Terri Windling’s blog where I learned of the news, but it seems my thoughts on the news got away from me and I wrote far more than typepad will allow in a comment box. So, what started as comment becomes a post for Thomas Hine.

~@~

When I reflect on my passionate love for the fantasy, myth, legend, faerie in all its forms, I realise that one of the things that appeals to me, that involves me the most, is the characters. From the classics of the genre, well thumbed volumes wearing the marks of experience, to the most modern of releases that I need an ebook reader to enjoy, the stories are populated with characters I can become involved with, care about, love. I read on because I have become involved in the lives of these characters and I care about what happens to them. I re-read because of how my life has been touched by their stories, because my own life is enriched by those words on a page or a screen.

Slowly but surely I have been drawn into following this mythic arts community online. One blog links to another blog, which links to another blog and soon I am following a myriad of new stories and discovering new tales - except these are not the lives of imagined, created characters but the lives of real people, people who live creativity and imagination. The magic of creativity and imagination is woven through all and my own life is enriched by looking through their eyes at their view of the world. 

Over time I have ended up following the blogs and websites of so many of the little community that has centered around Chagford. From Rima Staines blog I ended up at Terri Windling’s blog, from here I branched out to discover Lunar Hine and on and on the warp and weft is woven. Blogs written by people I have never met but universally they are people that I have come to love, grateful, so grateful for what I have learned, discovered, experienced because of what they have shared. I don’t express that gratitude enough. Their lives have been woven into my life and I visit their blogs with the same relish and enjoyment as picking up the next installment of a favourite tale.

But these are not characters, they are real, very real people and reading of Thomas Hine’s death cuts sharply and cuts deep. How the tears in my eyes on reading about it must be multiplied many times by those who had the pleasure to know him I can only imagine. There is nothing I can do to offer comfort to those whose hearts are pierced the deepest by this loss, much as I wish I were able to do so. But I can remain grateful for all that Thomas’ life has added to my own, from his stories to his pixie doors and all in between. 

Love and a hope for peace to all who know and love Thomas Hine.