The SL community...better than you think

This is not a post for pity, I want to state that up front, and really, it's painful when it's offered, so please don't

Last Saturday, my house burned to the ground. We lost everything we own, including two dearly loved pets. It was awful, but among our first purchases were new computers....we couldn't wait to get back to SL. (Imagine that!)

Despite all the problems with SL, I was able to log on and immediately be at my home, with my pictures on the wall, my clothing in inventory, and my friends. It was more healing than you can possibly imagine. I've gotten so many hugs that I desparately needed, with my RL family and friends many miles away.

My staff and friends have been holding fundraisers and they've managed to raise more than $25,000L....just incredible. People who don't even know me have gone to the tip jars and contributed. It absolutely makes me weep at the goodness and generosity of the SL community.

Yes, SL is frustrating at times with all of its occasional hiccups. Yes, we lose inventory from time to time, but I really urge you to keep that in perspective. When you're griefed by one person...try to remember all the other good ones you've met.

SL as a whole community is utterly incredible. When you get upset or frustrated by something in-world, keep in mind the alternative of "no SL".

The question here is....despite all the "issues"....isn't it wonderful that we even have SL to begin with?

Ty Phil....your vision helps me heal.

So sorry to hear about your news. I am so glad you see the bright side of life, whether its SL or RL. Take care, and I hope the best for you Honey.

Beautiful post Honey. Made me stop and think about what I'm grateful for, thanks

Best Wishes---
Ashe

A week ago you lost everything you own including your pets in a fire and you found that your first priority was to get new computers so you could login to Second Life.

Good luck!

Yikes!

Thumbs up to family and friends, real and virtual.

So glad you can look at the brighter side of life. Good for you.

Your story fortifies and strongly supports some of the deeper psychological
aspects of Second Life I've been musing upon and discovering.

Here's to your quickly establishing a new home in RL!

-i

Must have been one hell of a party though

On a more serious note sorry to hear you lost your home.

Ah Lowen, when you have absolutely nothing left, you stand back and think "what can I do for TODAY, while the insurance company is doing their thing". A computer, I could do, along with a few items of clothing for each of us. The insurance company is locating a home for us, after putting us in a hotel. We have to wait until they finish their investigation and give us funds to start building. There's not much else to do

It's amazing how a collection of pixels can represent so much more than the sum of their parts, if you allow them to.

Sorry to hear about your loss Honey, can I add a small hug to the pile? I'm glad that there was a small oasis of comfort in such a time. I know SL helped me through bereavement.

There's lots and lots of lovely people in world, I'm glad you found some of them.

Good Luck to you ! Great post!

Best wishes Honey - I am sorry for your losses- both material and irreplaceable pets - SL IS a community- nothing wrong in reaching out to your friends in your time of need. Anyone insensitive enough to fault you for that just hasn't made real friends here. Gee, wonder why?

Big hugs (((HoneyBear)))

Sometimes it seems we use SL in spite of it's "features" rather than because of them and that just attests to our human need for each other. Hang in there and I hope you can also get together with RL friends and family for the support you need soon.

~Bodhi

Sorry for your loss, it must be terrible dealing with that tragedy. My heart goes out to you in your time of need.

You are correct however, on a whole the SL community is far more caring and supportive than I could have ever imagined. Experiencing their kindness and support firsthand while dealing with a distressing RL crisis of my own. Brings a little hope and encouragement to light.

I'm so glad you had somewhere to go, even if it was virtual. The virtual world is real in many aspects, certainly the friendships we make there are real. Hope everything gets sorted quick with the insurance company!

I'm so sorry about your loss, HoneyBear.

I had the same thing happen in Nov. 06. Our house and everything we owned were suddenly gone, and like you, it made my SL home so much more precious because it was all I had. A year later I still miss my stuff, but the loss of our home really made me appreciate how tenuous "stuff" is, how much more important my relationships and family are.

Well said!

*hugs*
oh honey! that is so sad. as an avid animal lover, i am especially grieved to hear of your loss of your pets. my heart sank when i raed that. everything else can be replaced.... even pictures through the help of every family member, friend and passerby you've encountered.

please be well.

Honey, what a beautiful, inspiring post!!! Today, nothing can get to me now I have read it. You don't know me but if there is anything I can do please let me know.

Fand.

God bless you, Honey. It is in the face of tragedies like these that we see the face of God, in other people, when they reach out to give a helping hand. So sorry about the loss, but glad that you are finding some healing.

((((((((((hugs))))))))))))

I think human beings in general have an amazing capacity to rise to the occasion and support one another through hardships. This is no less evident in SL and I think it's wonderful that you have found some comfort with-in the SL community. It doesn't surprise me in the least that this would be important to you guys......it's something you did NOT lose in the tragedy....and were able to come back to it as you left it. I can totally see how soothing that would be in such a situation and why it would be a priority.
Bravo to the folks who have helped.....I believe in my fellow goofball man, I really do. Just because we can be pains in the asses, doesn't mean we can't be wonderful too.

~~~~~sending recovery vibes your way~~~~~

So sorry to hear about your house. I understand the pain of it as my house burned down in a California wild fire, a few years ago as well. Please believe me when I tell you that at some point, you realize that all you lost is stuff and yes, while it is precious stuff, you still have your memories and most important your lives. Losing your pets makes it extra hard. If you ever need to talk about it, contact me in-world. I have been their, done that.

-Blu-

Beautiful post. My land in Second Life has become like a second home to me. Like a place I can go on vacation whenever I want, well, mostly when I want I can certainly understand why you wanted to get back on SL after losing everything else that was familiar to you.

Please provide a link to your tip jar, I'm sure I'm not the only one here who would like to help you.

Honey, I am so glad you and your husband are okay, and so very sorry to hear about the loss of your home and your pets. My thoughts are with you.

I hope the pain passes quickly, and friends can make all the difference.

* hugs *

Des