Death and Loss In Second Life- Lanai Jarrico Reporting…

 

One of the hardest things in life is suffering a loss. Even if it is part of the cycle of life. It doesn’t matter what religion you are in, race, gender, success, looks, or even age. Death is inevitable. At some point in our lives, we will all face the end of our journey. Everyone grieves differently. Some take it very hard and others learn to accept reality. Either way, there is no easy way to say goodbye to someone you love. You can only keep their memory alive by remembering the good times, using their inspiration to make yourself a better person, and honoring them in different ways. In a sense, every single person you meet and interact with in life plays a role in your growth just like you played a role in the life of the person lost. Many times we are faced with consoling a grieving person and this is where it gets tough. What are the right words to say to ease their pain? Do we stay silent and just listen or do we offer advice that may have worked on ourselves when we faced a time of crisis?

Death is a topic that many people like to avoid because it is associated with hurt and fear - two of the emotions that trigger us the most. When balanced with love it is possible to grow stronger and be at peace in a world where death and loss will always be part of our lives. The best advice to give anyone struggling is to let them know you are there for them. Even the smallest gesture of listening is an act of support. 

A hug also goes a long way. An embrace makes a person feel safe and comforted even just for a moment.

One of the greatest obstacles we face in a virtual world when dealing with a loss of a friend or a partner is the feeling of helplessness due to many factors. The distance is a major one. To many in the real world, they cannot understand the deep connection people form in a virtual world community. We meet from the inside out. This is a phrase I coined many years ago when I realized just how connected to a person we have never met face-to-face can be. In our everyday lives, we speak to people at work, at functions, and even in our own homes but we do not truly share detailed thoughts like we do when we are typing with our friends or partners in Second Life. 

There is something very different about it and the only ones who truly can understand and support each other through our online losses are members of the virtual world community.

In the past 17 years in Second Life, I’ve lost friends and acquaintances and offered my condolences to many who have felt this type of pain. I've visited memorials in Second Life and lit many candles, sat on benches in moments of silence while remembering those I've met, and even gone to virtual funerals where I fought back tears listening to others grieving and sharing their personal stories about the person lost. These are the ways we can come together in Second Life to support and help each other through the healing process.

The SL Enquirer would like to offer anyone who wants to highlight someone they lost by sharing their thoughts, a poem, a snapshot, or some words of condolences.

Submit your Obituary Message here and we will add them to an SL Obituary Page on SLE.

*hugs*

Lanai Jarrico

CEO, The SL Enquirer

 

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Diva Stone –Gloomy Tuesday By Mackenzie Abbot

In the early hours of Thursday morning, the 26^th of January 2017, I was just about to go over the edge of consciousness into the realms of sleep when my Skype pinged. And I saw the words I never ever imagined I'd ever have the misfortune to cast my eyes over.

“Diva passed away last night. Just thought you should know.”

My initial reply was “Stone?” I was dozy and later remembered that I didn’t know any other Diva’s. And then the call came.

She had been found at home after not responding to skype and phone calls, and not showing up for work that morning.  Her Master had called the police and they gained entry to her apartment. She was just 34, way to young to be taken from this world.

I’m not totally sure if it’s the numbness from the news or the fact I’m getting old, but I cant quite remember how Diva exploded in to my life.  All I know is she did, and she stayed, beginning 2 years of a friendship that I treasured each and every single day, and still do even though she’s gone.

During bouts of late night SL’ing, I'd often chat with her before a show and she was always nervous, something she went on record about in an interview I had with her for a feature in the SL Enquirer a few years ago. We skyped a few times and I could hear the warmth and love she had for life in every breath.

She gave her everything with every performance and, as one of her harshest critics, I got to know subtle clues that gave away that she wasn't quite well or not in the right frame of mind that night. To most people, including die hard fans, this wasn't evident in her performance and she would sometimes cover it up with that high to low “oh oh ooh whoa” thing that people like Christina Aguilera do in most of their songs. 

She always gave 100% in everything she did, and told peoples stories in song. You didn’t care where she took you, you were just glad she did. Yes, sometimes she strained to get some notes. Yes, sometimes she missed them. But you know what? Nobody really cared. She snared you in from the moment the notice went out to the time she stopped.

At time of writing, details are still sketchy, but the one thing that is certain is that never again will I hear the words “Mackenzie, I see you Papi, hugs your face” nor will any of us ever hear that voice grabbing you by all your senses and french kissing you into the ground until there's nothing left but pure and utter pleasure.

Diva, I never knew your real name and, in all honesty, I don't care.  To me, and your hundreds of fans in Second Life and real life, you are nothing but the true Diva. You’ll live on in our heads and our hearts.You leave a huge hole that will never be filled, but your talent towers over that hole, filling it with the memory of your gift for song, story telling and love.  If there's a heaven, there's going to be one hell of a show up there tonight.  I hope Whitney and Lady Ella take good care of you.

If life is a game of cards, somebody is cheating.

Fly free, sing sweet and, when my time comes, save me some front row seats.

We won't forget you Babygirl.

Diva Stone 1982 -2017

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In Memory of SharkClub Gaming & Buildables Creator; Batrastard Panthar

Batrastard Panthar was born into Second Life in October of 2009 and spent 4 years contributing to the Second Life community as a creator of fun stuff as he would describe it. His creative innovations brought about The Buildables; a robot that produced new types of robotic creatures and added uniqueness to the breedables community in Second Life.   Batrastard also owned and operated SharkClub Gaming together with his business partners Shane Nielson and Aries Westland.

 This is a place avatars could play an assortment of games and earn free plays. In light of the tragic event of his untimely passing in a tragic motorcycle accident, his memory and what he created will live on through Neilson ,Aries and those who knew and worked with him here in Second Life.

 Those that got the opportunity to know him would say he had a sense of humor, was easy to talk to and  was always willing to help others with kindness.

 He will be missed.

Visit Batrastard’s Memorial at SharkCLub Gaming

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SharkClub%20Buildables/128/128/21

Buildables

http://www.mybuildables.com ( this website will be up and running again soon)

On the Air with Batrastard Interview ( Published November 8,2011)
http://www.slenquirer.com/2011/11/sle-on-air-batrastard-panthar-creator.html

If you knew BatrastardPanthar and would like to share a memory, please use the comment box below.

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