In Loving Memory of Diamonddog

	DD's Photo Gallery Lintilla Tribute	In Loving Memory of Diamonddog (Carolyn Cason) July 30, 1963 - February 10, 2002 This page is lovingly dedicated to a woman who contributed greatly to this site when it was just getting started. She was the inspiration for FanFic being posted here, and her incredible tale, "Splinters Of The Soul", was the first story I ever posted. When Carolyn first got sick, about a year and a half ago, she had begun work on her second story, one that I was privileged enough to also be beta reading. I will always regret that she was unable to finish that story, it would have been fantastic... She was also responsible for, among other things, naming the "Subtext Pinups" section when I made my first graphic for it. There are bits of DD's influence all over this site: her "ForevaXenites" profile, as a character in Jordan Falconer's excellent mailing list story, "Adventures In "ForevaXenites" Land", as a contributing bard (Chapter 2) in the ForevaXenites', ongoing "FanFic Collaboration Project", and the inspiration for the collage you see above. ("Amazons RULE!" was Carolyn's email signature line.) If I were to continue on and tell you all the influences and contributions DD made to this site, and to me personally, I'd have no room left for the tributes I intended this page for. So I will close my portion of this tribute by saying that my existence was forever changed for the best by knowing this wonderful person. We shared so much in common, the love of a magical show called "Xena" was just the tip of the iceberg. I know that I will always carry her sprit with me wherever I go and there will evermore be another angel looking out for me... Dianne, thank you for sharing Carolyn with her online family. You'll never know how much it was appreciated. As you face life without your loving partner, please know that you have the most special angel of all following you. Until you meet again, may her presence comfort and guide you and the boys. Remember, I'm just a phone call or email away... Cindy/"FX" (2/12/02) P.S. As DD's and my mutual good friend, Jordan Falconer, has reminded me, I would be remise if I overlooked the fact that Carolyn was also an avid biker. I'll never forget the countless conversations the three of us had on ICQ, Jordan filling DD in on the finer points of cycle selection and me worrying about the safety of motorcycles! LOL Those were the days <BG> Thank the Gods she was able to fulfill her dream of owning a bike before she got sick...
		Messages:
		If it weren't for you, mate, a lot of things would never have been done. You, my friend, were the one who prodded me into that accursed mailing list story - (see? This is what "Xena wouldn't say that!" gets you into!), and you were one of my greatest supporters. The only time I was ever able to repay that was when I gave you some advice on motorcycling. I got lots of vicarious fun roaring around on your bike, and for that I am ever grateful. It's OK, Carolyn, sometimes you will hit some gravel and sometimes the only thing that you can do is just drop the bike and slide. We'll be along in dribs and drabs, mate, we're right behind you. Love you mate, and wherever you are, keep smiling down on us :-) Cheers, Jordan :-)
		Dear Dianne: "Let light perpetual shine upon her" I’m so sorry for your loss - our loss - and yet rejoicing that Carolyn is free of the limitations of her earthly body. She was a glorious soul on earth and I will never forget her humour, determination, and zest for life. Long may her soul live on! Even in our tears I know she is with us. I am thankful that at the last she wasn’t in pain and died with family around her – knowing she was loved. Big hugs to you!!! Love, Julia
		Helping Carolyn was one of the most worthwhile things I've done in quite a while. I'll literally never forget this, and that is Carolyn's gift to me. I'll always feel a warm place in my heart that I was able to put her together with Hudson and brighten her life a little. I'm just so sorry that her gift came with such a high price. My thoughts are with all those who were close to Carolyn, and they have my sympathies for their loss. I'm torn between being thankful that Carolyn isn't in pain anymore and being sad that her energy has left us. Thank you for bringing her to my attention and allowing me to help give her some happiness in her last days. She actually gave something special to us just because we could do that for her. It's not something I'll ever forget, and it'll always bring me some joy to know I helped make her smile. -Mike Hudson Leick Official Fan Club - http://www.hudsonleickfan.com/
		Going home I fly above To the place of light and Love Where I see many wondrous things and hatred has no wings My body once again my own In this new place I'll call home The Love I have for you Always shining through Please don't cry for me I'm happy to be free I'll guide you from above And you will feel my love One day we'll meet again Be at Peace my Friend Tammy La Scola
		I have desired to go where springs not fail, To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail And a few lilies blow. And I have asked to be where no storms come, Where the green swell is in the havens dumb, And out of the swing of the sea. -Gerald Manley Hopkins My deepest condolences to all family and friends, Andrea
		I'm sorry to hear this.. and I'm sorry I wasn't able to know her. She sounds like she was a fascinating woman. My condolences to her partner, Dianne. Biz
		My profound condolences to all! I'm so sorry! BardKC
		My thoughts are with the family, and definitely she has gone to a much better place, with no pain and worries. She knew that her family was beside her, and that was enough for her. My sincerest condolences, Arianne
		No matter how much you expect it, and how much you prepare for it, it still hurts, it still wounds, it still drains you of what energy and emotions you hold in reserve. Cancer patients, when you share an oncology ward with cancer patients, you become a community of sorts. You have so much in common. You understand all the aches and pains, the meds, the treatments, the burns, the hair loss, the depression. There is comfort is being in the midst of those who can truly say, "I know how you feel." It's the most bizarre kind of fraternity, but you draw strength from it. As many people go into remission as pass away. That's not a thrilling statistic, but it's a realistic one. I've seen six friends die of cancer-related illnesses in the last 13 months. I have seen a dozen walk out of that ward beaming from ear to ear -- ready to get on with their lives, and ready to do battle if the need arises again. I have rejoiced and cried for all of these people, the way I am rejoicing, and crying, for DD today. God Bless her and keep her. My condolences to her family, and all of those who knew and loved her. Roo
		I've only been on the ForevaXenites list for a short couple of months, but somehow I feel compelled to write to express my condolences. I did not know Carolyn personally, but her fanfiction, posts, and profile at the site, as well as the continuing thoughts and memories of her posted by those of you who did, made me feel as though I knew her too. Perhaps because there is so much going on in the world right now, that it makes us appreciate every day having people around us like Carolyn, people who are loving and kind and funny and devoted...that make life worth living. I hope that someone will be able to contact Hudson Leick, who was so sweet as to call DD while she was in the hospital....so that Hudson will know how much her kind gesture meant to Carolyn. DD was right...Amazons rule!...but so do wonderful people like Carolyn, too. The world is a better place because people like her got to spend some time in it. My best to Dianne and to DDs family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. My Warrior
		FX, I am so sorry about your friend - it is so difficult to see someone go, especially in that way. Just think that as difficult as it may be, she is now free and probably in a better place than we. Have no words to console you but to know and feel that God exists and he has her in his arms right now. She will be looking out for all of us and will want all of you to be happy and remember the good times you’ve shared and the beautiful stories she’s left for all of us to treasure FOREVER. Love, Susie/"Chimpycheeks"
		High Flight by John Magee: For, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung Hung in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouted wings aloft, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod the high unsurpassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. The Xenaverse has suffered a great loss in one of its beloved bards, Diamonddog. My condolences to all her friends and family. Linda Crist
		We are sorry to hear about DD and our condolences go out to her partner, family and friends. Our deepest sympathy, Cruise and Monica
		I know Diamonddog from the ForevaXena list and we e-mailed one another over the past year. DD was such a joyful person and had such a beautiful spirit. She will be missed by everyone in the Xenaverse. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during your time of loss. We're sending lots of love and light your way. My sincere condolences, Zeta
		It is not every day that one meets a person like DD. I did not know her well, but I found her to be a loving and bubbly person. This is for Dianne: BELOVED WIFE You were the love for certain of my life You were simply my beloved wife I don't know for certain how I'll live my life now alone without my beloved wife my beloved wife I can't believe I've lost the very best of me you were the love for certain of my life for 50 years simply my beloved wife with another love I'll never lye again it's you I can't deny it's you I can't defy a depth so deep into my grief without my beloved soul I renounce my life as my right now alone without my beloved wife my beloved wife my beloved wife my love is gone she suffered long in hours of pain my love is gone now my suffering begins my love is gone would it be wrong if I should surrender all the joy in my life go with her tonight? my love is gone she suffered long in hours of pain my love is gone would I be wrong if I should just turn my face away from the light go with her tonight? By Natalie Merchant Sarah
		I never had the pleasure to know DD since I'm new to the (ForevaXenites) list , but she seemed to be a wonderful person! My deepest condolences go out to her partner and family! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers always! Ann
		I'm really saddened by the news of DD. When I first joined up (ForevaXenites Mailing List) I remember she posted a lot and was involved in an ongoing story on line with some others. I thought she sounded wonderful. A very caring person with a wonderful sense of humour. My thoughts are with you in the very difficult days ahead...Cindy, Saying that she is in a better place and that thankfully she died peacefully is not going to help the pain and sadness you must be feeling right now. But you must take comfort in the fact that you provided such a lovely place for her to share herself and lovely personality with so many people around the world. Without "ForevaXena" none of us would have got to experience her gift. So whilst I didn't know her personally, thank you for the pleasure of knowing her online. Lyn
		I never knew the lady personally and I am sad that I did not get the opportunity. Her story 'Splinters of the Soul' was one of most original and well-written tales I have had the pleasure to read. It always a sad day when such a talented person is taken from us. My condolences to her partner for her loss. Also for us, to be deprived of the chance to read more work from such a talented soul. Blessed Be Ellianora aka Jen
		Just a note to let you know that I'm sorry for the passing of your friend. I'm sure she must have been an amazing woman and that she's at peace now. Ever since I read about her illness I prayed for her health, now I'll pray for her soul. Although I didn't know her I think that we should stand together in the Xenaverse. Take Care, Natalia
		I want to extend my most heartfelt and deepest sympathy to Dianne and the kids, and to the rest of Carolyn's family. Yes, we were expecting it, but it still stops you in your tracks when you hear the final news. I cried like hell, that woman was gold. But we have to rejoice for her, also. She's now free of her broken body, and all the pain. My condolences to you, as well, FX. We have to feel blessed to have had her in our lives for the time we did! Chris "Battle On"
		My condolences to close friends and family and anyone else who will sorely miss DD. Bob H
		...She was such a fun loving person. I know we all miss her very much. She was so much a part of this list, a part of our family here. She was talented and beautiful. She had such a wonderful spirit. She will always be a part of us as long as we remember her. I know I will never forget this wonderful lady whom I was so proud to call my friend. :) Mike Vivian Prince of the Amazons
		Carolyn Cason has died, shocking the Xenaverse, your history " Splinters of the Soul" will be in our hearts eternal. But, fortunately the sky got a new star. My Condolences and Dianne and Friends. Lília Araujo
		Cindy...your email signature thing caught my eye ("Amazons Rule....."). I investigated and found all the wonderful tributes to Diamonddog - I am very new to the site, but I can already tell that she was a great writer, friend and inspiration - and it is a great loss. My thoughts are with those of you that were close to her, and may her inspiration light many more hearts and stories! del