On any other day, I find that I can rely on words. Today, however, there are none – none that come easily. Those of us who write blogs, and all of us who read them, lost someone who made words come to life. Now Lynn Hudson’ s sudden departure has left me without any way to express how much we’ve lost. I would never have had the courage or the motivation to start my place here at The Farm. I told her so when I began to write and she gave me her blessing. So, for that, and much more, I will miss her. I hope she knows how much she gave and how much she meant to all of us.
I wish her peace and rest. I pray that her family can find solace in knowing how many of us she touched. There is nothing I could have written today which could have more been more important than expressing our collective sorrow and gratitude.
All I have to give are my words, and today, for you Lynn, I hope they’re enough. I thank you. We all thank you.
All Is Well
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918
Canon of St Paul ‘s Cathedral
Empress
realhousewifeofaiken 
God Bless you Lynn & thank you for being such a good friend. You will be sadly missed.
that was read at my Dad’s service – thank you so much for posting it – it may sound strange, but when I was reading it all I could think was that my Dad went and found Lynn and the two of them were listening to the words and nodding and smiling – smiling through the tears right now – and feeling the love of Lynn’s blog family –
Lynn will be in the company of many of our angels.
God Bless You, Lynn Hudson. You’ll never know how much you impacted my life. I will miss you, dear friend. My thoughts and condolences go out to her friends and family. Well Done, My Child. Your Race is Over. Rest in Peace.
I’m in shock! I was there yesterday having fun.
Lynn touched my life and will forever be in my heart! Rest in Peace our LynnNChicago who is now in The House of God…
I am going to share with you my First and only meeting with Lynn… We met in Chicago at The Pump Room for dinner on April 24, 2012, after two years of communicating by mail and phone calls.
The moment I saw her it was like meeting an old friend! We laughed and talked for hours, like we knew each other like forever!
I asked her how she could maintain her Blogging everyday… She told me “There are days that I just want to stay in bed a little longer but then I think in all the people who is waiting to read the new Blog and I just can’t let them waiting…” This told me the kind of Human Being she was! A selfless Giving Woman!
Thank you God for letting me be close to an amazing creature of yours!
I started and ended every day with Lynn’s blog. There will be a big empty space in everyone’s life because of her passing. Condolences to her family, friends, and all the posters on LynnNChicago.
Empress.. Thank you for being such a kind and warm person. This was really nice of you to pay tribute to our friend Lynn . We all had many great laughs over the past few years and found many a friend along the way.
Hugs and Peace
Diva
A very fitting and lovely blog, Empress. Thank you for finding words that fail to come to me.
Thank You Empress. I only hope Lynn had some idea of what she meant to me. I am heartbroken.
Those were very special, kind words to a very special, kind lady. Lynn, you will be missed.
Friends of Lynn~~~~Please send all flowers and cards to Cuneo-Columbian funeral home, 10300 West Grand Avenue, Franklin Park IL 60131.
Thank you for posting that boston.
Thank you Empress, that was a lovely tribute. I found you through Lynn. I am glad she gave you the “stones” to start your own place here at the farm. I never posted on a blog before Lynn, she made me brave enough to jump in. The farm is the only other place I post. I think you are both remarkable women. My condolences for your loss, you were in great company. Lisa
P.S. I am still reading every word you & Jeff write
Thank you Empress, that was lovely. I think Lynn’s biggest legacy will be the fact that she brought so many people together who became friends. RIP Lynn Hudson.
Might I say that Lynn brought together some extraordinarily bright fiesty women! Those of you in the early days of the blog had me “ROFLMAO” constantly! The bond you share is so special and I know you share a certain sadness today. My sincerest sympathy to you. Thank you for the beautiful tribute Empress.
Empress – thank you.
Lynn – I’ll miss you.
I just can’t stop crying…so silly..
In an effort to do something useful, I printed a pdf of Lynn’s blog from yesterday and today. It includes all emails up until 10:15 EST. I’m happy to send it to anyone – missusanastasiabeaverhausen@gmail.com
missus anastasia beaverhausen
I don’t know why I have such a long email address, but I do.
A comment got lost somehow…
I saved Lynn’s blog from yesterday and today as a pdf…I’m happy to send it to anyone who might want it.
missusanastasiabeaverhausen@gmail.com
Oh Empress,
My heart is broken. I think I’ll just rest here for a while.
Nomoredrama8@gmail.com
I don’t know why I messed up my name – I’m simply off kilter right now.
That was lovely Empress. This is all so sad. I feel for her family – she was just too young.
Lynn helped us to overcome the usual barriers and hang-ups that can plague our real lives. She allowed us to transcend racial, socioeconomic, religious and age differences to come together. To enjoy her, her writing, each other and reminded us all to be respectful. We laughed together and more importantly learned from each other. We learned that even with all of our differences, we are all basically the same. We all live and breathe and love. She left a legacy of joy and love. My heart goes out to her family.
LaineyLainey that was so beautiful and heartfelt.
Thank you for saying how I felt ❤
Empress, Thank you for the beautiful words
NJBev – thank you. Yes, Empress – THANK YOU for creating this and for your lovely tribute.
I am posting here in case Lynn’s blog gets broken.
I don’t think I have the words my sadness. This all feels like a bad dream.
if there is an email list, Please include me,
martinasocal@gmail.com
Empress,
Thank you for that sensitive tribute.
It’s hard to believe that someone who was *larger than life* has suddenly vanished.
God speed to Lynn’s earthbound & virtual families.
Thanks empress of aiken. I have read your blog before… Mel the Hound sent me here. Thanks for the remembrance blog. I don’t really know what to say because I am shocked, heartbroken for myself, heartbroken for the Lynn fambly and heartbroken for her children, sister, husband and other close friends and family. This past year I have leaned on Lynn’s blog as I was going through many life changes. I spent hours upon hours there some days when I needed it. Lynn was a very special person… not only for providing us a place to hang out, but for writing a blog everyday. And she was a damn good writer too… I wouldn’t have read her blog everyday if she wasn’t. I never thought that I could feel this way about a person and a place on the internet…. but I do. My email is elizabethharrison@gmail.com I am not sure what the future holds… but I would love to be a part of Lynn’s memory and continue to hang out with the fambly.
lizzle, There is a group from Lynn’s blog family who are chatting right now. There are plans for a post tomorrow, by her dear friend Carly, at LynnNChicago and perhaps a Facebook page. This is the link to the online chat. It is amazing who and what we connect to without ever having met or seen them. http://us6.chatzy.com/66725057855131
There is also a blog, set up this evening, by another friend of Lynn’s http://www.rememberinglynn.blogspot.com/
Thank you Empress
uggghhh! I think I started a wordpress blog once (and never wrote in it)
called thehypnodroid and now it is automatically logging me in as that. so.. Thank you Empress… from Lizzle
Thank you, Empress. Your choice of “All is well” made me cry. All I could think of how many times did Lynn have to switch providers/blogs and we all claimed rooms for sleepovers. Well our dear sweet Lynn has forged ahead to our final home to prepare the house. There’ll be no hiding brars or special brownies that she won’t find. Heck I suspect she’ll be waiting with open arms to share all the snark and secrets she has.
Lynn, you are sadly missed. Until we meet again my friend… Ps I’d like a window room <33333
Thank you Lynn and family for allowing me to be apart of your family. Lynn was a very sweet and gentle soul. She was strong on opinions and strong on connections. You will be missed, you are missed…Love you
OMIB, BB, wsl and all of Lynn’s immediate and blog family, my thoughts and prayers are with you thru this difficult time. Lynn and all at her site helped me get thru the toughest time in my life, like so many here we had a voice on paper when we found it difficult to speak.
She was a strong, tenatious, woman that I butted heads with a few times, but I always came back because I respected her writing, strength, sincerely and passion.
I’m thinking of all of her family and wishing them strength today and in the coming days ahead.
(((KLMH)))
good to see you Klmh
the tears keep flowing when I read what everyone has written
see you in heaven Lynn, thank you for all you did, I think you knew what your blog meant to so many, you helped us all.
I’ll take a window room too
Thanks BKF. Still hard to believe…
Thank you KLMH
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friendship. You have done such a great job on the blog, although I rarely watch anymore.
God bless.
Good to see you
Hi RR. Hope you are doing ok. What a blow…
{{{{KLMH}}}}}
There is a new Face Book group Friends of LynnNChicago
I am at a loss for words.
Thanks for sharing that, Donna. I found the link – http://www.facebook.com/groups/216776385117892/
Thanks for this, Empress. I am over the shock today and just feel such a deep, deep sadness. Lynn will be very sorely missed.
nomoredrama has started a blog in memory of Lynn – http://lynnfam.wordpress.com/
Thank you Empress for your tribute. If Lynn was still here, I know how happy it would make her.
We have all lost someone very special. My heart feels like it’s breaking- thank you for all who’ve reached out to me.
My email is onemoreinboston@gmail.com
Somewhere in Heaven, Lynn is taking off her tinfoil hat, and picking my brar up offa the floor (again!) and baking us the “special” brownies. She’s changing the sheets and FeBrezing the air.
We’ll laugh and snark at our late night bloggy parties- when we all meet her again on the other side.
RIP my beautiful friend.
OMIB, My heart breaks for you. I know what a good friend you were – are – to Lynn. We will all tip our tinfoil hats in her memory. The brownies are on me. Brars are optional.
((( OMIB )))
OMIB… I am so sorry for your pain today.. It must ten fold to what we are feeling.. Know that you are in my thoughts thru this difficult time. Lynn and ALL her family have been added to the Mass schedule here in town for tomorrow.
Hugs and Peace
Diva
Have you forgiven me yet for my horrible note to you?
Sad…
All day, such a sick sad feeling inside me. My heart hurts, and I have never met Lynn. But she opened up her wonderful blog to all, and contributing to it was the highlight of my day.
I had never shared in her blog that ten years ago I came down with a condition called vestibular neuritis. I have my good days/my bad days, but unfortunately, due this disorder, I can no longer drive, can no longer work. Not much to do to occupy my day. But then I discovered Lynn’s blog during season 3 of RHONY, and also started going on twitter. This blog and all of the friends that I met through it, literally saved my sanity. I loved contributing on it, loved reading others comments. When Andy read a question of mine on WWHL, Lynn was the first person to tweet me about it. She was as excited as I was. Then I read so many comments on the blog, and I realized that this truly was a second family to me. Thank you Lynn.
Lynn, I will miss your wonderfully written blogs. I will miss your tweets, and our DM’s to each other. You will never know how many people you have touched. Judging by even the amount of tweets in your memory from quite a few housewives, I keep thinking Lynn would of loved that!!
You will always be remembered.
Thank you for sharing your story PVS. Like so many of us that have gone thru a tragedy, We found Lynn’s blog an have been able to share our thoughts, ideas, and concerns.
Thank you, Empress.
This is so sad.
From Carly Hall http://lynnnchicago.com/?p=10894
Pingback: Tributes to Lynn | Lynn's Place
Thank you Empress for the wonderful tribute to Lynn.
Thank you Empress, you are helping us all remember Lynn
Simply stated and very well said Empress. Thank you for all your contributions to my internet fun.
Something for the LynnFam HW blogger crew, wherever they may be.
http://lynnnchicago.com/?p=10894#comment-284963
Sorry, I meant to post this…
thanks bunches MTH…. It was good for the “soul” today..
RIP Lynn Hudson
RIP Nancy Lynn Martin..taken from us tuesday at the age of 26…Far too soon also…
Support a cure for Diabetes…
Hugs and peace
Diva
It’s a wonderful video Mel.
I just read Lynn’s column written by Carly, and wonder why someone other than myself hasn’t questioned the identity of the person/people/group that had the audacity to try to close Lynn’s blog down. Seriously, WTF!
Lynn may have died, but rest assured, those type of secrets didn’t die with her.
That is Still the strangest thing for me to read…. 😐
J, I didn’t thank you earlier for your music and video, so I’m saying it here. It was very touching, and a very personal and wonderful thing to do.
😀 .
Just unbelievable.
You wrote a beautiful tribute Empress. MTH yours was beautiful too. I hope Lynn is looking down and smiling at all the wonderful eulogies to her.
Deb aka NoHausFrau
this was read at my Dad’s funeral, and as today is Lynn’s funeral, I wanted to share it with all of you – it is a traditional Irish prayer
Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Everything remains as it was. The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no sorrow in your tone. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort . Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.
until we meet again, Lynn –
I just now realized that I posted the very same that was posted above – something that I commented on when it was posted – please forgive me – for one who uses the written word to express herself, not being able to find the words that say how my heart feels is strange – I am wearing black today as I sit here at my desk – I said a prayer for Lynn and for her family, I will again at lunch and again before I go to bed this night – as long as we hold her in our hearts, she is not truly gone – my love to you all –
shamrock, No apology is necessary. We are all sending prayers for Lynn and the family that she leaves behind.
Klmh – I thought it was a bit strange that nobody was questioning it either. But then I thought about it and just assumed Jill Z was behind it. If you read Andy’s book, one thing you learn about Jill Z, is that she never, ever lets anything drop. That was just my assumption, but of course it could have been a rival blogger – – I’d love to know too – I don’t know why that person(s) should be protected.
even now after all the time that has passed im still in shock Over Lovely Lynns Passing’