My best friend and I came to SL when he got sick and couldn't leave the house. It was to give him a chance to be able to interact with people and dance and run and all of that. He had a lot of fun in SL, and it comforted me to see it. After he passed away, I slept for a couple months, and then remembered the promise I had made to him - to not give up. To make myself smile again... laugh again. Edith was born from this promise.
I'd adored Donna Flora clothing from my 'normal' avatar, and the styles fit this old diva so well. I worried, when I first started the dame, if I would offend creators. Edith is rather satirical... a sort of anti-fashionista. I worried creators would see this outlandish avatar with an 'unseemly' shape cowing around in their clothing and be annoyed, thinking I was making fun of their work. One day I took a chance and introduced myself to Squinternet and asked her opinion: would she be offended to see her wonderful creations on a less than modelesque avatar? She popped right down to see me and told me she loved it. That's when our friendship started. She was my earliest cheerleader in what I did with this little old lady, and her reassurance gave me the confidence to keep doing it.
Soon she was sending me things she was working on, just to see what it would look like on Edith. She loved creating, and loved talking about what she was doing. Sometimes, when certain components wouldn't work with Edith's curves, Squinternet would even remake them to fit her. In turn, I sent her 'post cards' of Edith doing silly things in her clothing. If you look over my stuff you will see a large percentage of things Edith wears is Donna Flora. Several of my dame stories were inspired from Squinternet's clothing alone. Like the time I put on her Marchessa outfit and immediately thought: all I need now is a gun or two and I'm a super diva spy! Edith has made me laugh so much, thanks in no small part to Squinternet's support and creativity, and thus my promise to my friend was fulfilled.
I've struggled with what to say about Squinternet's journey. Everything I've attempted to say just seems inadequate. It hits close to home for me, too, as I am going through something similar right now. The Dame takes a lot of energy, and that is something in short supply these days. Squinternet has been in my thoughts so much though - her strength lending a boost when mine falters. How can I sit down when Giulia charged ahead? Even now, with the sad news of her passing, I find myself at a loss for words, and the ones I write here aren't enough.
This wonderful lady was one of the most gracious people I met in SecondLife. I feel very lucky to have known her, even a little. I know that I am far from alone in my warm thoughts and memories of her, and in my sadness of her passing. I'm a speck on a beach full of sand, just one of so many she touched and who love her. She matters in this world - both virtual and real - and thus she will always be here.
Crane Pose: Vespertine
Everything else: Donna Flora
