25/05 Update: I am very sad to announce that Aunt Judy passed away last night. She was told of all your eviltry on the weekend and it brought a smile to her, so thank you for that. If you would, please continue with Evil for Judy and leave a comment. It means a lot to me. ~S
ETA: Obituary and arrangements can be found here.
You may not realize, in this world of horrible people being horrible, that some human beings aren’t like that. Some human beings are extraordinarily kind and change the lives of everyone around them.
Judy Bagshaw is one of those people.
And as it goes sometimes with our world’s truly extraordinary people, terrible things befall them and threaten to take them far sooner than necessary. Judy was hospitalized some weeks ago and recently received a fairly devastating diagnosis. She’s very ill right now.
Immediately upon talking to people who know her, everyone was upset. Everyone. Because there is not a single person Judy has ever met who hasn’t been positively influenced by her. As an elementary school teacher for many years in a rougher neighbourhood, she had kids in her class for just a year who would come back as adults praising the influence Ms. Bagshaw had on them. New writers she has mentored over the years went on to do great things, readers’ lives were made better by her size-positive romance novels.
And then there are people like me, who has had her in my life since before I was born.
Aunt Judy read all of my stories and gently helped me improve; she always supported all my creative endeavours; she pushed me to submit to publishers and hone my craft. She gave me a place to live when I was homeless. She taught me to turn my (great many) faults into virtues. She saw the good in me when there absolutely was none whatsoever.
Judy Bagshaw is the very best human our species is capable of producing, and I say that without a hint of hyperbole.
Almost immediately, people have asked me what they can do–if they can send flowers, gifts, cards, etc. She’s in Critical Care, which I think disallows flowers, and in her room today I found there wasn’t really space for cards and that. Until such a time as she can receive those things, I think I have a good solution.
Evil for Judy
Oh god, Skyla, you’re going on about evil again–
HOLD UP. I’m not asking you for money this time. Previously, as part of the ELEW, I’ve helped with major fundraisers, first raising money for Crestline School after a fire, and then last year for Julie Butcher when her husband wrestled a bear (aka chainsaw).
Judy needs our evil, just not the financial kind.
What I want you to do is what Judy has done during the entire sixty years of her life: commit wanton acts of eviltry for others. (Okay, this is Judy, so we can also call them “random acts of kindness” but c’mon, stick with the proper lingo here.) Try something like…
- Tell a child–your child, a niece/nephew, any one as long as you didn’t steal them–how amazing he or she is. Really sit down with them, look them in the eye, and tell them what an extraordinary human being they are.
- Buy a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you the next time you’re at Timmies.
- Go to your local animal shelter and ask to take one of the dogs for a walk.
- Give someone deserving some encouraging words.
- Give a child a book and offer to read it with them.
Do something equally awesome that I’ve not thought of because I’m tired.More ideas! Like…- Leave a server a large tip.
- Write to a former teacher who had an impact on your life.
- Donate clothing you don’t wear to charity.
- Cook a meal/do some laundry for a friend who just had a baby.
- Leave some extra quarters at the laudromat.
Do one of these things, these little random acts of eviltry/kindness–just ONE thing!–and leave a comment here on my blog. Tell me what you did. You can leave your name or be anonymous.
When I go to see Aunt Judy next week, I will read them all to her. I will show her how her influence is continuing even when she’s unwell in the hospital. I will show her how she will always live on.
Well-wishes are nice, but SHOW, DON’T TELL, MOTHERFUCKERS. Do something Judy would be proud of.
If you don’t know Judy, maybe you know me. Maybe you’re here because you follow me somewhere, or you’ve read my books.
Folks, I would not be here without Aunt Judy.
No one has ever believed in me the way she has. If you have one of my books, open it and check the dedication or acknowledgements–you will see her name. I don’t put just anyone’s name in there and I am not exaggerating the influence she’s had on my path.
If I have ever done anything, even once, to brighten your day a little–to offer support or encouragement, or some act of kindness I was never aware of…that was Judy.
If you’ve read and enjoyed any of my books, you would not have if not for Judy.
You HAVE met Judy just by being near me, even if you never realized it.
So please, help me with this. Please do a random act of eviltry for Judy. Even if I don’t have the opportunity to read them all to her, I have to believe she will feel the love wherever she is.
Standard Evil Explanations for Newbies:
Wait, what’s this about evil? I’m a member of the Evil League of Evil Writers. Everything we do is evil, including charitable acts.
Aren’t charitable endeavors inherently good? Judy has fostered evilty in many children, including me, who co-founded the ELEW. Also, by supporting this endeavour, that might make people cry happy tears. Making people cry is of course evil. See? It all comes back to evil, folks.
As a friend said, when the universe kicks one of us, we kick back twice as hard.
I’m kicking.
Writer of urban fantasy, thrillers/mysteries, and horror.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about Judy! She is an amazing person and has been a blessing and inspiration to many. Please give her my best when you see her and I’ll be spreading the evil with her in mind.
I’ll keep Judy in my thoughts–good energy sent everyone’s way!
Yesterday, I was in line at Dunkin Donuts (the drive-thru). When I pulled up to pay for mine, I paid for the person behind me as well.
That is an AMAZING act of eviltry. Thank you!
Today was my day to volunteer and feed the rescued kitties downstairs, and I played with them for a while too. Then I helped Mum for an hour with her gardening and went out for dinner with her.
I helped an elderly man who was unsure of his way and looking for the insurance office. I don’t live in that town, so Google Maps saved the day there. I was glad to help, he seemed so lost.
Your Evil League of Evil Writers is a fun idea, and I love the website. However, I’m choosing to do LIVE (which is the reverse of EVIL 🙂 acts of kindness. I thought of Judy today (somewhat tearfully) as I was picking up new eyeglasses for my almost-91-year-old mom, buying food for her, and doing other things to care for mom, whom I brought to live with me a little over a year ago. The past year+ of caregiving has been challenging on many levels, and blessing on even more.
As you and Judy know, but other readers/commenters may not, my Pearlsong Press is the publisher of two of Judy’s books. Although I never met her in person, I enjoyed working with her on the books and chatting with her during the teleconference call conversations/interviews I used to have (and to record) with authors before life & caregiving shifted my focus.
Publishers have traditionally referred to the authors they publish as their “stable” of authors. I never liked that term, and instead have always thought of and referred to Pearlsong authors as part of the Pearlsong family. Judy is an important part of that family, and I am sad that we may never get to meet in person. (I’ve fantasized about one day holding a celebratory event and inviting all Pearlsong authors and readers/fans to attend.) However, I am glad she contacted me about publishing her short story collection At Long Last, Love several years ago, and will always consider her a part of the Pearlsong family.
Sending much love and healing to Judy, you, and the rest of her friends and family…
What a great idea Skyla!
I made muffins and a pie for a couple of people I know. I’m not sure if that counts but I do know that Judy will be very proud of you. Tomorrow I will think of Judy when I do a random act of kindness. Sending love to you both.
Hello Judy,
Today I was writing and i let the rescued dog have the squeaky purple lamb chops toy.
Me: Typety-type-type
Dog: Squeak-squeak-squeak-squeeeeeeeeeeeeeak squeakety-squeak.
Me: You’re giving me a migraine but you have that because of Judy.
Dog: Squeak-squeak-squeak-squeeeeeeeeeeeeeak squeakety-squeak.
Me: You’ve punctured my ear drum and I think my eyes are bleeding.
Dog: Drops toy, licks my face, Squeak-squeak-squeak-squeeeeeeeeeeeeeak squeakety-squeak.
Me: Evil is hard. How does Judy do it?
https://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/2015/05/23/on-mentors-and-evil/ is part of my act of evil. I also corrupted the young into getting involved in reading and showing an interest in politics and other things that are good for them…
I only met Judy through her books and Pearlsong Conversations call-ins. The first interaction I remember was in a conversation to promote her newest book At Long Last Love, http://www.pearlsong.com/atlonglastlove.htm but when I introduced myself, Judy immediately said, “I’m a fan of your work.” I still remain moved and touched by her immediate supportive comment at a session designed to talk about HER work. People don’t say that to each other much (the fact that it was so unusual to me tells you that I don’t say it enough). Well, Judy, I’m a fan of your work and your life and I’m going to make it a point to tell writers when I meet them (probably online) that I am a fan. Bless your kind heart, Judy and Skylar bless you for being such a good sister (I just heard of your work, Skylar, but I know I’m going to be a fan!)!
We writers need to talk to each other more. I am always amazed at the talent that deigns to talk to me 🙂
So, honestly, I’d have taken him in anyway because that’s what I do, so I don’t know if this counts as evil on her behalf, but I’ve got an orphan chipmunk that just came in.
Assuming Judy likes chipmunks and orphans, I’ll name the little guy Jud (unless she’s got a different name request?).
She LOVED chipmunks. I have many fond memories of being at her cottage with her, watching the increasingly-friendly chipmunks on the front deck. One year my dog Sophie went WILD trying to climb a tree after one and gave us a good laugh.
Jud the chipmunk is up to 25 grams, climbing and running like mad, and eating solid food. Looks like he’s gonna be a feisty one.
Oh, Skyla, Doreen just called to let me know! I can hardly type for tears.
The only bad thing about Judy is that she left us all way too soon! Please have Pete e-mail me about any services. Doreen and I were to have our ‘girls’ day with her the Saturday after her fall.
I was so thankful that I had her as a friend. That woman could laugh! And make people think and in a non judgemental, non preachy way.
Can’t write any more, can barely see keyboard. Love and sadness, Anna Blake. P.S. I’ll reach out to whoever I can from the old drama worshop.
On Saturday at the grocery store, I stopped and helped an elderly man who had dropped his change.
On Sunday, I took care of Mum’s dogs while she was at work and made her dinner.
Today, although I was a wreck and in tears all day, I did my weekly visit at the hospital with my dog, and I am so glad I went. I kept thinking about how much Aunt Judy would’ve loved to have Sophie visit her in the hospital and was glad to share that with the patients there. Truly the best balm for this kind of loss is to try to live the good qualities Judy was known for–the kindness and compassion, the joy and love for others.
The evil you are doing is exemplary…. keep it up!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Skyla. I had precious few interactions with Judy… But the impression was always that she was a lovely lady. I’m sure your loss is heavy. Thinking of you… And of sweet Judy.