Ode to My Home

A few weeks back, I found out that the owner of our sim is abandoning the sim where I’ve lived and worked for so much of my SL life. My friends/neighbours and I looked at the feasibility of paying the changeover fee and taking on a whole sim, but it just wasn't a good financial decision for any of us. We’ve tried absolutely everything else we could think of to keep it but, sadly, nothing has panned out. 

At first, I was in denial, holding out hope that the owner would change her mind, reach an agreement with us, or that we’d find new residents to share the costs.

I actually kept hoping right up until today, leaving my empty platform sitting up in the sky, but too scared to rez anything on it just in case. However, with none of those hopes panning out and the final day rapidly approaching, the reality has set in. While it’s incredibly sad that the land will disappear and go "POOF" in just a few days, I’ve prepared for the worst; making sure none of my belongings are left behind as I get ready to move elsewhere.

The whole saga has left me feeling deeply despondent. I absolutely dread the day I log in only to be transported away because the sim is gone, yet I am loathe to leave until the very last minute because, honestly, I don't want to be anywhere else. I have loved everything about living here; having my friends close by, the space and freedom to make a home, and the joy of decorating multiple houses and blog-worthy outdoor areas. It’s also where I had my sky platform, a creative sanctuary where I built the scenes featured on this blog and in Best of SL Magazine. Leaving it all behind is incredibly hard.

And yes, while I know it is all just pixels, the memories I made here are entirely real. That is what makes leaving "such sweet sorrow" and why these feelings are still so raw. 

So, as I say a final farewell to my SL home of 10+ years, I am turning my focus toward the future and working out where to go next that will give me that same freedom to create the home and garden scenes that both challenge me and bring me joy. 

I am also doing my best to remind myself that SL is about connections with people, not land. 

Poroporoaki ki tōku kāinga (farewell to my home).