People are in Second Life for a variety of different reasons. Many are there to find love and socialize. I love socializing and meeting people but I love so many other aspects of Second Life. My profile in-world clearly states that I am not looking for any love in my RL. I am not saying that if I do meet someone and it is a complete compatibility that I wouldn't consider it. What I am saying is that I have a completely fulfilled real life and am not in SL out of loneliness or seeking love. It is nice having someone in-world to hang out with and etc...But that does not mean I can't have a fulfilling SL without it.
A few years ago, I met a Spanish Scotsman. I have a real love for history and am a genealogist. When I met this friend, I found out he has a passion and knowledge of WWI. We had plenty to talk about which lead me to ask him how hard it would be to find out where my mother's grandfather died at in France during WWI. We had a wall in obtaining information in his military unit as there was no one alive that knew this information and his records were not available as of yet. Which halted our research.
He went on to meet a lady and live a married life for a while in SL and I did my own thing. We lost contact and recently we met back up again. Talking to him is such a real pleasure. And I am not talking of the same pleasurable conversation most think of when it comes to SL. The idea that two people can actually TALK and enjoy a REAL CONVERSATION is amazing to me! This inspired me to pick up my research on this subject again.
This ship (above) is the US Army Transport ship the St. Mihiel. It is the ship that brought my great grandfather's remains home from France, 3 years after his death. Yes, I finally tore down that wall! I now know the battle he fought and died in. He was wounded in the second phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on October 13, 1918. He managed to write a letter home to his loved ones before passing away on October 17, 1918. My two Aunties have waited almost a life time for this news of their grandfather. No one ever knew this information about the end of this young man's life. I guess that side of the family dealt with their grief silently, behind closed doors and due to other family issues at that time, the information never trickled down. This man had left a young pregnant wife and a small daughter behind when he left, whose lives were so changed by his death that it is still being felt today by my generation. Now maybe there can be some closure.
As you see, there can be so much more to Second Life than just dating, sex, fashion and socializing. It is my hope to show other sides of life in SL in my future blogs. The crazy side, the funny and fun sides, the sad times (Yes, I do have those), the angry sides and the times when we love.
So stay tuned...
Gilly
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