Yesterday, I heard the sad news that LK Madigan, my friend and fellow 2009 Debutante, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. Once the announcement was made, Twitter and Facebook were on fire with thoughts and prayers…and with memories of Lisa, who was funny and talented and an incredible cheerleader for those in whom she believed.
Lisa was a proud breast cancer survivor; she’d fought and won that battle 20 years ago, and gone on to have a gorgeous son, publish two books, and live a life filled with love and laughter and happiness…which is all any of us could ever hope for. She was an inspiration to so many, in part because of these 20 years…and because of the fact that she never stopped viewing them as a gift.
It doesn’t seem fair that you battle cancer and win only to lose your battle with another form of this horrible, bitch of a disease. It seems so unfair that I want to scream and stomp my feet and pound my fists about it. Lisa was far more evolved than I, however, and there was no screaming or stamping of feet with her. She was lucky, she always said. She got to live a whole second life, filled with joy and never taking a moment for granted.
I had a good cry last night, mourning the loss of my friend–the loss of her talent, of her jokes, of her excitement every time I put out a new book (she liked the naughty bits best)–but mostly, I mourned the loss of her spirit. I don’t know if she ever knew what a powerful force she was for so many of us…I suppose no one ever really knows that for sure…but she was so wonderful, and such an inspiration, and I hope she knows that now.
I miss her already.
I know that many of the readers of my blog are not YA readers, and I’d like to share Lisa’s incredible talent with you. Comment below to be entered to win copies of both of her books, the incredible Flash Burnout and the lovely The Mermaid’s Mirror. Enter to win before next Friday, March 4, and I’ll randomly select the winner then.
In the meantime, make sure that the people who inspire you know it. Lisa would like that.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
I had never heard of LK until hearing about the announcement on her blog when she found out she was sick. That single post of hers touched me becuase of the same reasons you mentioned. You could tell her spirit burned so bright. She was thankful, even then. I bought Flash Burnout the same day and now I know what an incredible talent she was too. Amazing book and amazing lady. I wish I could have known her.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
I'm so saddened by this news. I've lost too many loved ones to this horrible disease. My heart is with you Sarah, as are my thoughts and prayers. Lisa sounds like an incredible woman and though her physical presence is no longer here I have no doubt that her spirit will live on through the lives that she touched.
(((Hugs)))
February 24th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Beautiful post Sarah. So sad that this beautiful woman is gone. So sorry that your friend lost this second battle of cancer.
Her example touched me in that beautiful blog post she did last month. What an inspiring woman. I had not heard of her until I saw posts about her blog post on twitter. I hope her legacy can live on through her books and wonderful posts about her amazing life and example.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
This is a lovely tribute, Sarah. Don't enter me to win – I already own both books – but I wanted to thank you for your post.
Hugs,
Kelly
February 24th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Sarah, your post is beautiful and heartfelt…AND true. To win once only to be taken down later by the same monster is not fair. I've had a great woman in my life lose her second battle. It sucks.
I did not know L.K. personally, but C.Lee, an amazing friend of mine did. She kept most of us at YAlitchat informed at how L.K. was doing and asked us to keep her in our prayers. She still is.
This is a wonderful tribute.
February 24th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Sarah, what a great way to honor Lisa. My sister battled breast cancer for 18 years and passed away peacefully last year. She lived life to the fullest and didn't waste a day.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
I did not know Lisa personally, but I loved FLASH BURNOUT and I am so sad that this amazing voice has been silenced. My thoughts and prayers to her family.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
I followed Lisa on twitter and have have been tearing up ever since I heard the bad news yesterday. You're exactly right. It's unfair. Unfair and cruel.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
I had never heard of Lisa or her books before your post, but I lost my father to liver cancer 1 month ago. I know too well the pain her friends and family are currently experiencing. My prayers are with all those who loved her.
February 28th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
This is a beautiful tribute to her! I was also saddened by the news, though I don't know her in person. I absolutely loved The Mermaid's Mirror and she was nice enough to stop by my blog and comment on the review I did of it. I'm sad as a reader to have lost such a talented author and her loved ones are in my thoughts.
The post she did about her illness on her blog was inspiring and so incredibly brave.
March 2nd, 2011 at 4:39 am
It is very sad that Lisa lost the battle with cancer. A friend of mine was one of the lucky survivors of pancreatic cancer so it holds a place in my heart. I have not read her yet, but I think that it means a lot that she still got to publish books while fighting cancer. She had a lot of strength and is very inspiring.
Alicia
March 6th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Dear Sarah,
Thank you so very much for your kind words , and incredible generosity. I am constantly amazed at how many friends Lisa had, and at how any lives she touched. Thanks to the writing community for supporting her all along, and especially now.
Sincerely,
Neil Wolfson