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This is without doubt the hardest post I've ever had to make. I had to spend the past couple of days composing myself, and coming to terms with the fact we may never see @CorinaMarie again. I truly wish this wasn't the reality we now face, but everything suggests otherwise. ---------- Cori has been absent from Simtropolis since 18:32 (EDT) on Friday 15 July, 2022. Firstly to give a bit of background context to paint the picture... During the past few months, Cori has been enduring real life turmoil with the passing of a very close relative, and also an untimely turn of events which meant there was no other option but to move house. Big changes in life were set to happen, and an unknown with a new job and how this might affect participation on Simtropolis. I tried my very best to maintain optimism how it could be made to work out, and I'd continue taking care of the site while Cori needed time away. Throughout this time it's been my total focus to provide the support I could, even though I'm many miles away and could only give emotional and not physical assistance. Cori frequently thanked me for giving the support I was able, and understood it was a limitation of our distance for not being able to help more. We were both content, and realised our friendship was integral to their ability to continue along in life. As some of you may know, Cori and I are very good friends, and we chat on Skype on a daily basis. That day on Friday was just like any usual day. We'd been allocating "work time" so she could get on with sorting things for the upcoming house move. Cori returned just after 17:44 that day, and we caught up on site notifications (or beeps as she liked to call them). After doing so, Cori played a SC4 for a bit, before we had a relaxing time prior to calling it a night. Little did I know at 22:09 that evening, it would be the last chat message I'd receive from her (at least to now). Usually I'm a little too quick to become concerned in such situations, although this fear stemmed from a worst case scenario and trying to prevent it. I felt a duty of care to look after Cori in keep providing all the support as able. I encouraged and we still had recent fun times, and during the past few weeks things were looking hopeful with progress for RL things being accomplished. The future seemed brighter. I reinforced how she wasn't alone, and still had me to talk with about any concerns or fears. I tried to give hope for the future in years ahead. The prospects of what can be achieved in both reality and creatively in game. Just that last night we were saying about still seeing ourselves playing SC4 for the next 10-20 years in some form. I believed it too. The following morning (Saturday 16th) I awoke and checked Skype to see Cori had not returned as expected. The time by then was about 14 hours since, and I received an email and written document file from them. The start of the message said "Hiya, CB." but then the following sentence made me realise the theme of what it would be about: "This is devastating news." I knew instantly this was something dreadful. It was tragic. While I'll not post the full details of the message since it's very personal, I can sum it up with this quote: Cori said they planned to not continue on in life. The implication of reasoning was due to the pressures of their situation, and prospects of the future being less than desirable. I can empathise with this position, as it sounded awful. As much as wishing it didn't come to this, and if only there was still another possible pathway. I'm still unsure whether they went through with these plans, but at this point I fear the worst. There were no signs leading up to Saturday how this might become a possibility. Again, I wish with all my heart this wasn't reality. Perhaps there's even a remote possibility they changed their mind. Hope can sometimes be artificial, but I suppose it's a natural trait. We always keep hope. They concluded their message by thanking me for our friendship with very heartfelt words. Cori, if by chance you're still here and somehow read this message, I still wish to chat with you again. You are still a much valued Member, Moderator and Admin, and you'll continue to be treasured by us all. At this point I'm still in a combination of shock and denial. I cannot believe this has happened. Not only to my very best friend, but for how much the absence of Cori will send shock waves through the entire community. About involvement with Simtropolis, she often said much about enjoying being part of this place, and also for the way SC4 was still a focal interest to us both. If this mayoral world was reality, I know you'd still be here now. In the days ahead I'll make another post here which explains where I personally stand, and what this means for Simtropolis. ---------- To end this post, here is a timely beautiful song I remember Cori once mentioned: And an image which Cori and I both particularly admired from the James Webb telescope First Images release: (This is officially named the Carina Nebula, but at the time while chatting, we decided to name it the Corina Nebula.) It seems only fitting to conclude my post here with this very image. -CB
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