Deep and humble bow to Evonne. I have watched from a far for ages. For the first year I was here I felt drawn to this artistic woman with profound insight and bursting creativity.

I was intimidated by the amount of work she was putting out and help she was giving. I still am. Though getting close to her has helped somewhat. :-) She does appear more human to me now that we are so close.

We met, for the first time, very briefly at the Omidyar Network Member conference in Chicago (05). I looked around a room full of strangers (for I had not been active in the community at that time). And there she was, all wild and clearly my type of person--sexy, confident, brilliant, loving, open-minded, and very bold.

We did not meet again for 18 months, except sometimes online here where we had light exchanges of support (I was too intimidated to get very involved in her work). So in December, she came to Blaine, as I did, to work with EFN. I watched her across the room make space for people. I don't mean pull up a chair, I mean listen to them, give them room to share themselves and be totally themselves. It is a captivating space, the one she creates around her. Calm, freeing, and full of light. I wanted to sit near her and feel more of that. Again, she was the one in the space I felt most kindred with. I sensed that this woman is the most like me. And that is very comforting when you are in a room of brilliant and amazing people.

After making a clearer connection and opening broader channels of communication in Blaine, we started talking a whole lot more. Pms, IMs, Skype talks, Skype Video. And I was right, in many ways, she is a mirror to me. I see myself more clearly as I talk with her. And she says the same about me. It is a very addictive positive feedback loop. I saw her again in February of this year and we drew in closer. Now I have seen her already 4 times this year, and I am heading off to see her again at Netsquared next week. I am sooo lucky!!!

Evonne has helped my business by caring about what I am doing, valuing it, supporting it, hiring me, asking me deep and challenging questions and getting excited about my ideas. She nurtured me each and every week this year.

Evonne has supported me tirelessly as a friend. Repeatedly, when I am troubled, sad, down, negative, frustrated, annoyed or what have you, I can say hi to her, and she transforms that down energy into something radiant and loving. I trust her to accept me utterly and completely for who I am as a whole being. I am deeply honored by her friendship, her gifts of time and energy, and her generous application of her amazing, brilliant, creative mind to my endeavors and my being. And the chocolates are definitely good too. :-)

More than this she inspires me each day with her courage, her ability to hold a vast network of people with love and positive attention, her perseverance, and her creative solution creation. Her insight astounds me. Her loving patience floors me. Her resourcefulness makes me incredibly jealous. ;-)

Thank you Evonne for being an awesome mentor, friend, partner, and collaborator.

As Jean just has (exquisitely!), I'm sure MANY will follow and post beautiful and detailed accounts of their experiences and joys - both with and because of Evonne - over many years.

This one is just about yesterday.

With a breathtaking absence of fanfare, self-promotion, hidden-agenda or ambiguity, she showed all who were watching and awake just what love in action truly looks, feels and sounds like.

Elegant, strong, fearless & dignified ...... with a sense of clarity that simply slices though the distractions and illuminates the possibilities.

A treasure.

Because sometimes "you just know". :)

http://www.omidyar.net/user/u704 983394/news/57/

Are you saying you have proof she is human? :)

looks like you have proof too michael!

watch out or i'll nominate you to the transition team :)

Michael - darling, angel, sweetheart - you got beat by girls.

Suck it up, deal with it and let it go :)

The transition team is for masochists only.