Our Friend Lee_Hawk

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Back in Season 7, I received an email from a long time Idoler shadowwolf13 to let me know that her 9 year old step daughter wanted to compete with LJ Idol.

This was in 2010.

This was her first entry http://lee-hawk.livejournal.com/965.html, her introduction to the world of Idol.

Her Dad, apisanthrop, was also a contestant, and while they were together, the "Idol family" was, for awhile, quite literal.

Having kids compete side-by-side in Idol was always something that I had mixed feelings about. But pretty much all of them who have ever done it have really impressed me.

Back in 2010 she was one of the first in that line. What was always the most impressive, to me, was that she was pretty much standing on her own in the game. (To compare someone close to me, when I had Idol Minor, I allowed *my* soon-to-be bonus daughter, Celena, to compete - and although she wrote everything, she didn't post or link them herself, although younger, "Miss Kid" was clearly a step ahead of the pack - especially when it came to interacting with everyone.

She came back for Season 8, and while she didn't last as long, you could definitely tell the progress she had made in her writing. I remember laughing when I saw what she did with the coprolite topic! http://lee-hawk.livejournal.com/5021.html

All of her Idol entries are public, people really should go read them. http://lee-hawk.livejournal.com/

I can't believe that I'm writing this entry. I really wish that I wasn't.

She was always so sweet and kind to everyone she met in Idol. I never met her outside of the game, but I always got the impression that was just how she was.

I don't know the details, and even if I did, I would respect the family's right to share/not share those.

What I DO know, and what I can share, is that our friend, a fellow Idoler, lee_hawk was not quite 16 years old when she died.

This is a horrific loss. I'm literally crying right now and have been off and on since I read the news.

I can't even begin to wrap my head around this, or what her friends and family must be going through right now. Shadow, Lynn - if there is anything Idolers can do to help, please let me know.

Please take the time to let the people in your life know that you love them.

Comments

[zhent.livejournal.com]

I knew lee_hawk, and knew her as a smart, sweet, lovely young lady. I really feel her loss, and wish Shadow and all those who knew her the deepest of sympathies. This was a young life with tremendous potential that was lost far too soon.

...

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

I... have no words.

Things like this simply should not happen. Ever.

My deepest sympathies to the family.

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry for those of you touched by this loss. This is far too young. Having just glanced through I can say her growing talent will be missed in the world.

[murielle.livejournal.com]

I am so very sad to hear of this tragedy. My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew her.

[ellison.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, how devastating. I'm so so sorry to hear about this. ((Hugs)) to all who knew her and are hurting right now.

[flipflop-diva.livejournal.com]

This is so, so, so beyond sad. My heart breaks for all her friends and family and anyone who knew her. My deepest condolences to everyone.

[sinnamongirl.livejournal.com]

I'm stunned; all my heart and love to her family and to her. <3

[amenquohi.livejournal.com]

Oh my God. I cannot even form words. My heart goes out to her family, and to all who knew her. She burned brightly.

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

My heartfelt condolence to her family and friends.

[mac-arthur-park.livejournal.com]

Oh my God. I have no words except I'm sorry.

[mrstotten.livejournal.com]

Ok this was a kick in the stomach I never saw coming, I thought it was leading up to this amazing kid coming in to chat to us or something.

This is heartbreaking, as a parent it is my worst nightmare, my thought and prayers are with them all

[cheshire23.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry to hear this. :(

[adoptedwriter.livejournal.com]

So sad...

[rayaso.livejournal.com]

My heart goes out to her family. This is the worst possible news. I cannot imagine what this is like for her parents.

[majesticarky.livejournal.com]

I didn't expect this to go there. This is horrible. I remember her writing and I thought "what a great and charming kid!". I'm so sorry shadowwolf & apisanthrop.

[rswndrlst.livejournal.com]

A lovely memorial Gary. My condolences to her family, the idol community and to the greater writing community that lost a promising young talent. This was so heartbreaking to read but a fitting tribute to a girl who seemed to love lj very much.

[bewize.livejournal.com]

I am so very sorry.

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

So very sorry for the family's loss.

[quiltingdragon.livejournal.com]

So very sorry for the family's loss. My thoughts are with them.

[deza.livejournal.com]

I am still stunned over this. Didn't know what to say on Shadow's FB, don't know what to say here.

[oxymoron67.livejournal.com]

This is so awful. I am so very sorry.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

I am so, so sorry for her family and her friends, and those of you who knew her through Idol.

That is so tragic. Just heartbreaking.

[shadowwolf13.livejournal.com]

Thank you all so very much. I haven't replied to about 99% of the comments simply because I've just been so overwhelmed. She was my step daughter for about 5 years, a time that is both incredibly short and forever long.

I don't have details on a service yet but I'll share when I do.

I have posted several photos of her over on FB, here (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154784733141352.1073741856.567616351&type=1&l=daa9f65aa5). I've also posted a memorial (http://shadowwolf13.livejournal.com/1262195.html) to her, if you wish to learn more of this beloved girl.

Shadowwolf13 has posted a memorial message:

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

http://shadowwolf13.livejournal.com/1262195.html

[kschlotwrites.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

[marlawentmad.livejournal.com]

This is heart wrenching, my sincerest condolences.

[alycewilson.livejournal.com]

How terribly sad. My deepest condolences.

[unmowngrass.livejournal.com]

Ohh, no, I am so sorry to hear this! Huge condolences to the family <3

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I somehow did not see this entry until now.

Many sympathies to her parents, relatives, friends and idolers who cared about her.

[wolfden.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry for this loss. My condolences to her family and friends.

[lawchicky.livejournal.com]

I am so so sorry to read this :(

[thepheenixeyri.livejournal.com]

...damn. :(

I'm sorry to thear this.

...

I know that's the usual thing to say, and I/we wish we could say more, but, yeah.

-P~

Thank you

[apisanthrop.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the wonderful tribute and the kind comments. They are very much appreciated.