Oh Maggie. I cried reading this. It's such a beautiful piece. 

Luv ya :D

Right off the top, I would have to say, that OL has been the best Virtual World experience I have had, with  the exception of meeting my darling husband in the land of the hand. I call OL my home, and look forward to moving towards the vision that Sakai has for our community.

While I have not been here very long,  I have met and made many cherished friendships. Never in my life have I met so many special individuals in one place. I would like to publicly thank the many people who have been an incredible support to me over the past 6 months. I have felt the love, and even been filled with joy at those moments that a few have given me a lecture!.. lol

The community of OL has opened thier arms and welcomed me with such grace and sincerity, that I could not think of calling any other Virtual World, my home. If nothing else demonstrates this fact, it is my success in being a creator. My two years in SL, while it brought me my husband, were mostly filled with me seeking out things and activites that you would never catch me engaging in real life. Yes, I got pulled into the undertow, of darker desires, and almost got lost in it. Since my move to OL, I have climbed out of that pit of dispair, and back up where the air is fresh, the sunlight touches my soul. My mind and spirit have been edified with love, learning, and the opportunity from time to time, to give back all of the special gifts that the OL community has given to me.

The greatest joy, I have found here is the ability to create. Before coming to OL, I personally had not created more than a gift box, that Syrenia had given me about building. I found it interesting, but lacked the courage to really give it an honest try. Upon arrival, to OL, I rolled up my sleeves and claimed my half of our 45,000 prims, and decided that if gift boxes were just the start. To my suprise, I have found building to be exillerating. In 6 short months I have gotten to the point of taking on any challange I can think of, albiet, some are very rough builds... lol

The community has been incredibling supportive in my growth as a creator and a person. Never has the sun set on a day, that someone in some way has taught me something new, or has personally taken time to coach me on the finner techniques. The amount of templates, guides, and knowlege that has been shared with me, leaves me in awe, when I stop to think about it. You have set the bar high, and make want to strive to be a better resident !!!

Looking towards the future, I hope we will all pause from time to time and take a personal inventory. Ask ourselves, what have I given to this precious community today? Do I give when given the opportunity? Have I made it possible for yet one more person to feel the very special spirit that we have here in our VW home. I truly believe, that we only truly recieve by giving. Having said that I will tuck my soapbox away, and again thank all those who have made my OL experience what it is.