My somber thoughts after hearing terrible news… I learned that my friend and fellow author, Laila Doncaster passed away.
Laila is the author of Cocooning, The Butterfly (Circle B Ranch Series Book 1)
This is a post of my sad ramblings. It’s how I feel right now. And I am crying as I type this…
One of my author friends passed away a few days ago. Her husband Jeff was devastated and it took him a couple of days until he was able to compose himself enough to notify everyone on her Facebook page. When he did so, there were cries to be heard, and the lives she touched came together to mourn a wonderful person. Laila was such an awesome person, so witty, so smart, and very fun to be around, and she had no trouble giving me a figurative slap to the face when I many times needed one.
Laila Doncaster had just finished writing a book she spent 17 years writing, and five days or so after she finally published it, after she was so ecstatic about it, she was suddenly gone from this earth. She died the same way my Aunt died about a year ago. It was sudden, and forever those around her had their lives changed in an instant.
I’m very saddened by her passing and very shocked.
You know, Laila posted a few things on social media just before she passed, they were simple things: watching The Martian, eating some blueberry donuts… and I don’t know why I didn’t click like at the time. Maybe I was tired, who knows… I did post a comment on her “Martian” post, but I think a day or so after she had already passed away, and I hadn’t even known she had passed. So trivial, I posted a funny gif of “the martian,” Matt Damon, with his arms up. He was cheering on planet Mars. Laila knew I loved the movie, and I just passed her post by the first time I saw it, and didn’t comment until a few days later. I kinda feel guilty now, she’ll never see my comment, and I’ll never hear from her again.
It’s these little things. A simple phone call, a comment on social media, even a lazy click on the like button, even if you’re tired or not in the mood, because you never know…
Life is like that. A friend is here one moment, and gone the next, and it’ll forever be those things, those little things–when you’d joked together, LOL’ed together be it “just” on social media, “online,” or even traded some funny gifs–that you’ll remember… that matter. So much matters.
Don’t leave anything out… But I remember the good times we shared, laughing on Twitter, goofing around, posting stuff about our books like authors do…
RIP my friend, Laila. ❤️
As a tribute me and many friends will be purchasing Laila’s book on Friday (May 12, 2020). If enough people buy it, the ‘zon (Amazon) will shoot it to top ranking and millions will see her work. I think this will be nice for Laila’s memory, and for her husband Jeff. If interested and looking for a great read, check out Laila’s 17-year work-in-progress magnum opus. Cocooning, The Butterfly (Circle B Ranch Series Book 1)
As I type this Laila’s Facebook page is still online. She posted so many cool and funny things! As well her Laila Doncaster on Twitter, if you want to visit so you can remember her or to enjoy some of her witty, funny, and cool posts!