HAPPY BIRTHDAY VELVETWHIP!

[red_satin_doll]

For the lovely velvetwhip

Now that a very kind anonymous friend has gifted me with a paid account, I'd thought about taking advantage of the v-gift feature and get you one,

Gabrielle, but none of them really suited, somehow. I'm better with words anyhow and if I get a little extravagent here,
it's no less than you deserve and probably inadequate anyway. So:

Lo these many years ago (or maybe just one year, but who's counting?) I'd gotten myself into a minor "kerfuffle" and wanted, needed to talk to someone about it. But I didn't know many people here, being a newbie in the neighborhood and all. My instincts finally told me to go to you. Sometimes my instincts get it right. You were calm, reassuring, non-judgemental, and thoroughly sensible, and that was exactly what I needed. And what you gave me then is what you continue to give: solid support. You're one of the best ambassadors this fandom has to offer: actively involved in multiple fandom awards, welcoming to any and all newbies like myself, semi-weekly fic rec lists,
not to mention your own astonishing, prolific output as an author.

You said something very simple to me in that conversation a year ago. "I like you". I was flattered but had no idea then just how big a deal that is. Because it is. You don't lack for friends or things to do in a day by any means; but you make time anyway to read my posts and comment on a regular basis. Kindness, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm and pure class seem to roll of your fingertips; if you have a mean bone in your entire body I haven't seen it. (And how in the world do you stay so organized?)

I don't know how you do it, but I'm so glad that you do, and that I can count you as a friend.

Happy birthday.

Comments

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle is amazing and this is a great post!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle is an amazing person.

And thank you for the compliment! It was a joy to write, so I'm glad you think it sounds ok.

[chasingdemons.livejournal.com]

What a nice post! Gabrielle is such a force for good around here. She deserves all the acknowledgement and I'm glad she was able to be there for you.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

is such a force for good around here

YESSSS! I was grasping for a phrase like that and you just nailed the essence of it.

[comlodge.livejournal.com]

What a lovely post and the words are beautiful and so very true. Gabrielle is the most wonderful ambassador for the fandom. She certainly gave and continues to give me a big boost. The most welcoming person I've met on or off line.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

The most welcoming person I've met on or off line.

"Truer words...." :)

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

Oh my stars! I didn't comment on this yesterday??? WHAT??? I was sure I did! I am so sorry! This moved me tears. It did. You are such a wonderfully splendid person! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my friend!


Gabrielle

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

No worries! I knew from the post on your LJ that you've seen this and I knew you were busy.

I'm very glad you liked this! I worried it would be "too much" but its all perfectly true, you know, every word.

I really do think of you as a role model here in terms of bringing joy and positivity to this fandom even if I fail a lot. And I really REALLY don't know how you juggle everything that you do. either you've got fantastic discipline, an extremely well-organized brain, or both.

(I just realized I didn't put your name or happy birthday text on that banner. I'll amend that tomorrow. I'm at the library now and oh goodness is this 'puter slow....)