The past week has been, in real life, very stressful – as I mentioned briefly in another blogpost. It wasn’t just the time of year and week of my Mom’s birthday (the 4th of July) which always seems to bring me in a melancholic mood this time, although that was a part of it as well. Last week, I got the kind of phonecall I have not had in 20 years…the one you don’t want, but they happen. At 8AM ‘Hello, this is the Cardio ER of the hospital, we are calling you to inform you that your father has been brought in with a cardiac arrest. He is stable now, but could you please come over? ‘ .
The type of phone call that makes me drop everything and just hop in the car and drive – not worrying about my bad hairday anymore, the blouse I put on in a hurry wasn’t ironed, the jeans were a bit dirty and I slipped into winterboots while it was a melting 25 C degrees already, on what would turn out to be the hottest day in Dutch weather history.
Long story short: a week of stress and driving up and down – to various hospitals including an unnerving ambulance ride high speed, with blue lights and sirenes when Dad needed to be transferred to a better equipped hospital, my Dad’s wife meanwhile being in another hospital for a scheduled major surgery and my sister scheduled for surgery in (of course another! hospital), logistics and planning and worries.
So much worries. I’ve often wished I could teleport in RL…to be able to see them all, in all those hospitals so far from each other! This morning my Dad got a cardio surgery, for a pace-maker and he will be released tomorrow.
His wife got released last Friday and had the time to recover whilst being taken care of by her daughter – and my sister is doing well too and just got home surrounded by friends and family to help her.
Second Life has been, in between all the driving and racing and phone calls, worries and whatnot…a true place I needed to visit. My friends live there. They listened to my worries, my whining, my stress. They made me laugh, distracted me when I needed it. And I found so much peace and solace just sitting in the Basilica in Basilique – listening to the music while emailing and messaging friends and family to keep everyone updated.
I have played, in the background while writing mails, whatsapps, IM’s and whatnot, Huckleberry Hax’ video on ‘What Second Life Means to Me’ so often, on repeat. I think he has no idea how comforting the sound of his voice and the music has been to me the past days :). Thanks for that Huck!
Second Life, and the friends who live there, really mean….a lot to me.
Cait's World 
I am sending you big hugs, my dear! I wish I would have known how you felt when you came to the club last week but yes, sometimes it isn’t the right place to talk … so here they come, tons of hugs!
Aww, thanks Charlie! I know Ive not been too talkative, but it was great being in Bohannon and just dance and enjoy the music, much needed <3
Still sending you the hugs and warm thoughts, every morning!
Thank you so much Kerena, for your hugs and kind messages! Much needed and appreciated! <3
Having recently trespassed your lovely virtual abode in my attempt to visit Basilique, I fully understand how soothing an SL home can be. So glad you have that and such great friends.
Thank you Pay, too bad I missed your visit! Next time give us a shout – or try to attend the dancing on monday or the discussions on wednesday!
Glad to be of service :)
And thank you, again..Huck!
Hugs Cait Iam glad everyone is on the mend. Its good to have soft places to fall when we need to : )
Thank you Owl, all is going better and yeah….it is great to have support and places, it doesnt matter if it is ‘just virtual’, for me it was and is the real thing :)
It was good to see you last night at the beach party. We didn’t talk much apart from the usual local chat hello’s, but I felt you needed your space and would reach out (as you always do) when you need it. I know you’ve been having a difficult time and it was lovely that you were still able to make it – not for me or for anyone else – but for *you*. Our routines inworld can mean a lot to us as we take comfort in the familiar when our lives appear as if they don’t resemble anything we come to recognise. Hugs to you, and if you need me, I’m only an email or an IM away. XOXOXO
Thank you Becky…and yeah, I know how to find you! Last night was good, although I was very tired and a bit quiet, but still a great party.
I think I suffered a bit of self inflicted fatigue of talking about all that happened…partly not wanting to bother other people while they enjoy SL and partly me just being tired of it all. It’s nice to be online, knowing my friends are there without even feeling the need to re-hash the day allover again – if that makes sense :)
Basilica, as you may have noticed, is really a perfect place for me, if only to just sit there and listen. <3
Oh hunny. I am so sorry everything seems to be piling up on you all once. Sending you a virtual hug and a real ear :)
Oh ps – those photos are beautiful!
Cait your inner strength and spirit is indomitable. Much love and aloha to you and your family my friend. Keeping you all in my prayers💞
Hugs to you and I am happy that your family, now, they are all better. I was away from SL for a few months, now I’m trying to retrieve the information from the people that interest me, so I read your blog. I have not yet decided whether to return in SL … mmm, I think a little bit more ^^ Ciao.