Don't You Forget About Me
***cross-posted at Sticks of Fire***
Next Friday, I am out of here. So it’s time I said goodbye and got on with it. For years, I would write letters telling loved ones all the ways I’d come to care about them. For one reason or another, that tradition slipped away. For one reason and another actually. Two six year-old reasons that need water and conversation in the middle of the night despite the fact that Mommy has needs of her own.
Where was I?
Oh, yes, I was caring for people. Last month, I started up again, sending perfumed note cards to my nearest and dearest, gushing about how I’ll miss them after leaving Tampa. These were well-written and properly punctuated. I thought for sure at least one asshole would respond with a similar “I love you too because…” but no. Discouraged and hurt, I thought about sending kiss-off-after-the-kisses cards, but thought better of it.
“Kate,” I said, “it’s better to give than receive. So f*ck ‘em.”
I am now ready to give Sticks of Fire my electronic love letter and show some appreciation to those who tolerate me and my rants. Here we go:
Tommy – When I walked into Blue Shark that night and you drooled over my pizza, I knew I had a friend for life. Thank you for allowing me to advance a liberal agenda and stress the importance of love toys at the same time. I enjoyed reaching out; connecting with my community in a way I never could have done without you. Plus you took me to lunch once and didn’t make fun of my hair. You also provided an endless supply of beer at Skipper’s, which is why I gave my number to anyone who looked at my legs, but I can’t blame you for that. My legs shine more than the moon and are therefore hard to ignore. Your award-winning site is a template for how Internet use can bring people together legally and empower citizens to get involved with local issues. Thanks for letting me contribute. It’s a tough act to follow. So are you.
To my fellow SOF contributors, especially those who’ve been seen with me in public – ahem – Brett (twice!), Wendy and Joel: I enjoyed our time together. Your extraordinary kindness when validating an opinion, supporting a position or providing a well-reasoned argument is deeply appreciated by someone who longs to contribute an appreciated verse. That also goes for those who comment and encourage a dialogue not available anywhere else. Tampa is a better place to live because you care enough to voice your concerns. I am proud and humbled to have been associated with you.
To special local readers like Gax, Port Tampa, Addison…I can’t name all of you or the many ways I’d like to personally thank you for encouraging me. You’ll have to check back later for that. However, a special shout-out needs to go to Jeff Houck because he uses “babe” in casual conversation and put me on the front page of The Tampa Tribune. Beat that.
If any of you are ever in Colorado Springs, please look me up. If you see me this weekend, stumbling around town performing my own Farewell Tour, say hello and goodbye at the same time. I will miss this wacky area and its residents more than you know.
6 Comments:
Hi Kate,
I'm going to miss your poignant, funny and sometimes anecdotal musings.
Your writings have provoked my thoughts and lifted my sprits on many occasions.
I hope that you'll continue blogging once you settle in.
I know that you will find a way to make Colorado Springs seem interesting -- Hey, if you can amuse your readers with daily reflections on life in Tampa, then you can write anywhere about anything with the same absorbing quality that you've generously graced your readers with so far.
Your family will be in my thoughts.
From your friend that you've never met -- Good luck, thank you and be well.
FYI - I did send a nice love ya back via our typical communication method (school email). So there! You did get one asshole to respond back! Love ya lots and will miss you terribly!
No love for your nemisis, uh, repulican readers? I feel soooo left out.
Hurt feelings all around.
You guys slay me. Disappear for months and then come lurking for love.
I'm crafting the perfect goodbye to you...
I'm with Van, if you can make Tampa and its burbs interesting the Springs will be a snap for you. Besides, I'm looking forward to reading about you taking a new city by storm, or is that storming a new city. Something like one of those.
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