Early 2012. That’s when I fell under the Armitage spell. It was a swift descent, landing me in and sweeping me away in a tidal wave of excitement. And oh, the availability of information and images and videos to stimulate that excitement in this glorious age of technology!
In those first days, I searched for more about Richard. One of the first places I visited was the “me + richard armitage” blog in what quickly became a daily habit. The blogger shared a veritable treasure trove of thoughts, opinions, observations and so much more. Her musings amazed me; here was someone else who was as, if not more so, interested in Richard as I was. Like someone stumbling in from the desert, I drank it all in. That thirst was never quenched, but her writings helped curb the cravings.
One of the myriad ways Serv’s blog seemed so incredible to me was how she made it so much more than an outlet for her opinions. She provided a gateway for other fan bloggers to be showcased and recognized. She always gave others, especially newbies, a signal boost to her impressive audience. Through her, I was led to read, and interact, with a host of other bloggers. I eventually became one myself, and benefited from her encouragement.
Though we didn’t always share the same opinions on matters, there was a mutual admiration for the other’s thoughts. Serv was ready to call the troops into action when the situation warranted; or tell us a good story (with appropriate password protection 😉); or share what was happening in her life; or just enjoy a particular “Richard” moment.
I remember being a little intimidated about meeting her for the first time. She, and many other bloggers and fans, converged on NYC in November 2016. We were all there to see Richard perform on stage in “Love, Love, Love.” When the meet-up actually happened, I realized how silly I was being. We were all there for the same reason, to enjoy one of our favorite artists plying his craft. Meeting up with like-minded souls was an extended benefit of the moment. Seeing Serv, and adding her face to her words, made everything more personal and interesting.
Since I retired, blogging hasn’t had quite the same level of interest for me. (That’s another story … never mind, anyway.) That doesn’t mean I didn’t read my favorite blogs when I had a chance. Serv’s blog was a regular stop. For some personal reasons, I haven’t even been a regular reader over the past two years. I know I missed quite a bit. Still, the news of Susan’s passing stopped me in my tracks. It just didn’t seem possible that she could be gone. Even writing this, it is still sinking in.
Safe journey, Susan. May you find peace and comfort. Your time among us touched many lives. It enriched mine in ways I could never have imagined. Thank you.
Good-bye, my friend …
Well, There You Go ... 