Friday, February 12, 2010

Epitaph on a Friend


I've never actually done this before so I don't know how it goes, telling people who may not already know - who may know and be grieving - about the tragic death of one of us.

Yulanda Yee, beloved author of littlethoughts, died last night.

Not yet 30, she battled cancer twice in her life. She battled with grace. She battled with solitude. She battled with the love of her family and many friends. She battled with the inextinguishable adoration of her sweetheart, who fought with her to the end.

I don't know how to make sense of this. When an old person dies, it is sorrowful, but a full life was lived. When a person is born with terrible illness that stifles her growth and happiness, then death can be merciful. But where's the context in this?

Yulanda was a wonderful, talented woman. We enjoyed a rich online friendship and the opportunity to cement that friendship in a few special outings around our city. Her life is worth celebration - her many qualities.

So let's remember today: she took spectacular photographs, seen through the prism of an artist. She was always photographing food. You couldn't touch your food till she got 3 good pictures! She loved fashion and had a spectacular eye for it. She was kind and generous. She had gorgeous hair, long and flowy. She had small, gentle proportions, perfect for all kinds of vintage. She had a beautiful wide smile. She has been captured, still life, in the memories of everyone who knew her.

I know she's on to better things.

Much love, Y. I will miss you. xo

27 comments:

  1. I'm glad you got to know her. You will be forever marked by that friendship.

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  2. A beautiful tribute my lady. Her family and many friends are in my thoughts.

    xx Kit

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  3. How incredibly tragic.

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  4. I'm very shocked to read this in your blog. I didn't have the chance to meet her but we promised to make it one day. I told myself to write her an email this week after settle down back in Germany and now I have to read that she passed away, I feel so incredible sorry for her family and friends to loose such a wonderful person.

    I will miss her so much.

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  5. what a wonderful tribute to this lovely woman. i'm glad i got to know a little bit of her through your epitaph.

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  6. Oh K it's so sad!!! I'm sorry to know that.
    I've peeked her blog sometimes and always felt amazed by her photos and interested how she loved to take food photos.
    My condolences to her family and friends.

    Love to you my dear!

    xoxo

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  7. Also: I think she owned her own domain. Is there anything we can do to make sure that her blog stays up? I would hate for it to vanish.

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  8. i read about the news of her death late last night and thought of you and your friendship with her. she will be greatly missed.

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  9. Such a sweet tribute, it's nice to read from someone who knew her better. I agree with Anabela, I wonder if there's a way we can all save her domain?

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  10. What a terrible loss. I didn't know her, but enjoyed her beautiful blog from time to time.

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  11. This is so greatly written. I think she deserves more than a blog post so I didn't do one but what you, Kate and Anabella wrote is a beautiful tribute.

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  12. This was beautifully written, and is such an appropriate tribute. Yulanda will be missed greatly, but appreciated by all who were blessed by her sweetness. May her kindness live on in us all.
    xo

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  13. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. I didn't know her or her blog but she sounds like a lovely lady.

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  14. What a lovely words. She was an amazing person who will truly be missed.
    ::: Nathalie

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  15. This is a beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry for you loss.

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  16. Yulanda was one of my fave Canadian fashion bloggers. I saw her one time around in the city but was too shy to say hi. She will be missed.

    May she rest in peace.

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  17. This is such sad news. I'm so sorry to hear this, but you did a lovely tribute.

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  18. I have watched with envy your friendship with Yulanda and I am deeply sorry for your loss K.
    xx

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  19. I am so sorry for your loss.

    Beautifully written.

    Christine

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  20. K. - Yulanda, my loving, sistery niece, she found out the disease when she came back from a month trip to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korean june/2009. Unfortunately she lost the battle with lymphoma cancer thursday evening. It took her young life after a few months... too young...
    Yulanda, a quite shy girl, I am astonish by the huge number of friends she has, given their, kindness, encouragement and support... Thank you all for being Yulanda's good friends.
    on behalf of our family, also thank you all who have posted kind words and appreciations of her works.
    K.--- I am definitely sure she valued, treasured your friendship. Yulanda never dies, always lives in our heart.
    ---- did not know she took this photo in my not fixed bedding bed in her grandmother's house.

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  21. I knew Yulanda via the internet for almost ten years, now. I am so so sad to hear of her passing and I'm thinking of her family.

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  22. I am saddened to hear of Yulanda's passing & I am so sorry for your loss.

    I used to follow her since her LJ days when I fell in love with her photography after seeing the wonderful pictures she took in Saskatchewan. She was such a kind hearted, lovely & talented young lady.

    My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

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  23. How did I miss this? I am so sorry I did. My sincerest condolences to all who loved her. A lovely tribute, dear K-line. So very sad.

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  24. I miss her! I know you and Yulanda were good friends and it was really nice seeing the adventures you had together. I still can't believe it! It's not fair that we have to lose people like her!

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