I love you all

[Thin White Duke 4,072]

To start off; no. I'm sad to ruin everything for you, but this has nothing to do with valentine's day. 

I simply wanted to thank this community for it's mere existence. 2016 hasn't started well for me. To begin with, there was the much publicized death of David Bowie on January 10th. I know at least a few members of Simtropolis will know what a huge fan I am of the man and the music, so it was a very hard week for me.

Something much fewer of you will know of is the death of my grandmother last week. I had a very special relationship with her and I still haven't quite come to terms with it all. It was the first time I had to deal with the death of a close family member, and although I was prepared for it (she were basically living on overtime, 85 years old and she'd been an avid smoker since the age of 15) it still came as a shock. 

The reason I'm writing this is to say that, despite my relatively low activity over the past month, I always felt like Simtropolis would be a place where I could come for comfort, no matter what. These recent events made me realize what a fantastic community this really is and I just wanted to thank every last member of the site for the friendly spirit we've all helped to establish. 

I love you all.

[airman15 4,111]

Hey if you ever need anything you can come to us anytime! We want to provide all the support we can give.

This year has been hard for me too as an up-and-coming classic rock fan. I still can't believe we lost Glenn Frey (Eagles), Lemmy (Motorhead)and not too long ago Paul Canter (Jefferson Airplane). All of which were of bands my dad introduced me to and even he is still reeling from their passings.

This site has been my haven for a little over five years now and its because of the community, yourself included, that keeps me coming back for more! Btw, I like the way you troll the forums, it always gives me a good laugh!

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Sometimes a lot of bad things happen at the same time. The bad part of getting older is that sometimes it becomes frequent. You're a really cool boy, Borg, I don't know you so much, but I'm sure you will overcome these losses, after all, it's written in your signature, 'When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade! Make life take the lemons back!'

Btw, ♫ there's a staaaaaarmaaaaan waiting in the skyyyyyy ♫

[Thin White Duke 4,072]

It means a lot, guys. Promise I will make life take the lemons back. Promise I'll keep trolling. (I guess. Not sommething I was doing intentionally, but eh. If it's a good thing)

And as for this starman you speak of, @JP Schriefer, is there any chance he'd like to come and see us? That'd be mind blowing!

[raynev1 1,886]

   Hang in there , Grandparents passing is always tuff to deal with especially when they are close . I too , took the passing of my Grandmother very . And we were close , she raised me from 4 months to adulthood . And remember you will always have your memories of her . I know , I do of mine . It's been 24 years for me . and as JP said " I don't know you so much, but I'm sure you will overcome these losses, after all, it's written in your signature "  Take care of yourself and hold your head up . That's probably what she would wanted of you .

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Hang in there, I'm sure you will bounce back, it's about living after all.

The starman is with the spiders of Mars. Life on Mars indeed.

[Trashbot89 496]

You should think that you had a good time and memories with people you loved and you showed your love too. My father(and friend) passed away 3 months ago. It (still)was really hard to cope with. But I hugged and kissed him for goodnight the night before. I am really happy I had the chance to do so. I was on a 15 days leave from my military service (still mandatory in Greece). We repaired together some furniture,went out for coffee and beer many times, we watched movies etc. We had a very good time together. I am really glad for that. But you know something. Since his funeral, I have completed my m.service, I've returned to the UK and applied for job etc. He never left me. The last week he was almost everyday in my thoughts. I am really happy because he is still inside my mind and heart. 

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Of course everyone in my immediate family has been gone for twenty years or more, so I've kind of gotten over the shock.  There remains only my sister and I and a few children and second cousins.  We had a very close knit extended family in the 1940s and 1950s but once the wars were over (are they ever?), people started drifting apart.  Happens I have the family photo album mostly compiled by my mother, and it is often a great comfort to leaf through it.  There are even photos of some people I don't recognize but must have been part of the family at one time.

So buck up, lad.  This will pass into fond memory.  Celebrate the lives of those who have gone before.

[Thin White Duke 4,072]

Will do, mate. Typically (in Sweden at least), immediately after the funeral ceremony the visitors will all head over for a time memorial. Basically some fika. I like that part. It kind of settles everything and makes it a whole lot easier to move on. The spirit's usually pretty calm, neither sad nor happy. It's just a peaceful bit of chapter closing before you readjust to normal life. It almost makes you look forward to the funeral.