My Tribute to Breezes

by Chigadee London

Breezes Babbi was my friend in Second Life and real life. I met her several years ago when  she was a subscriber to  my hat group. She stood out simply because she was one of the few who took the time to thank me for giving hat gifts and then she would send me photos of herself wearing them! I realized right then and there she was pretty special and we became fast friends. She eventually became my store manager and even modeled for me in one of my first fashion shows.

Our Second Life friendship  graduated to real life friendship with Skype conversations and phone calls, and I learned that she did not have an easy real life which was fraught with health issues. She rarely complained, even though she came close to death many times but fought back with such courage, she seemed almost invincible. We all thought she was going to bounce back from her last bout as she had done in the past but I think St. Peter and the angels were finally ready for her arrival.

In the last months of her life, I was in constant contact with her family,  particularly her daughter in law (Brenda) who was completely devoted to her. Brenda was sincerely touched and appreciated the outpouring of sentiments by friends and communities Breezes was involved in. The following is a short message Brenda sent me after learning  about the Tombstone Memorial which was organized to honour Breezes. It gives  a glimpse into the real-life Breezes (Jeannie).

"A few things about Jeannie. She absolutely loved to sit on the deck and watch birds. Bluebirds were her favorites followed very closely by cardinals. She really liked her Kindle. She would read detective and murder mystery. Her TV was always on the food network. 24 hours a day. She loved shopping online. Food, clothes, dishes, etc... (laughter). The family had a beagle named Daisy about 40 years ago and she always talked about her Daisy. Still has a picture of that dog. She was smart, but very naive in an old fashioned kind of way. Very friendly with a soft marshmallow for a heart. I told her she was my magical genie. She would laugh and joke about falling off of her magic carpet because she never learned to drive or to even ride a bike. She was born with tremors in her hands and it limited her. She always hated that. She especially hated to eat in front of people thinking they would notice. She was right handed but had to learn everything by using her left hand. Very determined lady with a desire to make it work."  - Brenda

So as you all  see, Breezes was as kind, sweet and smart in real life as she was in Second Life. Rest In Peace dear Breezes. I was truly blessed and honoured to have you as a friend in Second Life and real life. I  miss you.

Chigadee London

Reader Submitted: Breezes Babii and Tombstone

By Adrian Wise

An intrepid gal arrived in Tombstone and sidled into the Crystal Palace Saloon.  In the days to come she would serve up a drink or two, wipe down the bar and even step up on stage to dance the night away, greeting folks as they meandered in and out of one of the many landmarks that identify the Town Too Tough Too Die here in Second Life. Miss Breezes Babii would gather her tips, whisk off only to return in a brand new finely tailored dress, chapeau ... or gown she'd eyed somewhere in this amazing Second Life; sure to be searching for the next.

It wasn't before long the dust shook off the gal, and a Lady walked Allen Street in search of her next wild west adventure co-starring everyone in Tombstone.

If I had to recall her first days here- That would be that.

If I had to retell of Miss Breezes days in Tombstone, I am far from over.

If I had to let you in on a little secret to her magic... I just may be persuaded to do that.

One footprint at a time~

"Miss Bree" steadily gobbled up folks hearts daily as she journeyed the dusty landscape living in the town of Benson until finally settling in Black Diamond Hills for her Role Play home. There she would become that town's Doctor, Owner of the Cantina "La Cantina de la Brisa", Baker for the Orphans of Tombstone and some how or another went head to head with the most outrageous Outlaws as Teller in the Bank of Benson... later- Head Teller of the Territory.  It was no secret she had her eye on a young sturdy Calvary Officer and would be seen at dances and Meet and Greets with him.

One Prim, two prim, three prim MORE~

Tombstone celebrates each and every holiday likewise "Miss Bree" saw to it that garlands or flags flew, appropriate flowers bloomed, treats were baked, candies distributed and (naturally) her surmounting wardrobe matched. Yes.. that "Santa that gives Hot Cocoa" was ever present. Be it Dias de los Muertos or Mardi Gras Each holiday perfectly sparkled to match her eyes.. after all- it was another reason to go shopping!

The Genuine Article~

We will forever remember "Miss Bree" to whom no goal was set too high.  No challenge left unabated.  No Storyline incidental.  In court as Witness or Juror, patching up folks after Small Pox outbreaks, Apache raid the town or attend their Pow Wow (In full regalia I must add) Rodeo, Round-Up or Posse; Hunting, Fishing; Celebrating Wild West Life.. she wore so many Hats... so many.

It's a Kind of Magic~

When you reside in a Sim garnished for roleplaying it's rare to know the typist for who they are beyond the well constructed words on your monitor, that is unless you have the passion "Miss Bree" had for everything going on around her.

Typically referred to as "OOC" or "Out of Character" it is the moment you echo the thoughts & experiences of the typist to share who you really are. In real life, our Outlaw characters do not kill people, our Judges do not sentence folks to hang and our Doctors do not tend to mass quantities of Children with the Small Pox. I myself, although known to be long winded, am not a politician.

On rare occasion the tale of a rattlesnake (for instance) would surface prompting "Miss Bree" to not only instruct the townsfolk how to kill it, but offer tasty recipes and advice on how to tend to the skin and bones for jewelry ... something we'd come to find out she'd practiced in her youth for survival. Thus a new chapter unfolded.  For most of us, the Wild West is our dream world, for Breezes Babii it's where she grew up, educated and raised a family.  It would not be long before many of her musings were stripped away to reveal the genuine article- the strongest of beautiful women battling though thick and thin only to chose to grace us with what laughter and free time she had left after years of various challenging illnesses.

When Tombstone joined the Second Life "Relay For Life" Breezes recalled the "Relay Rockers" Team to us- another of her HUNDREDS of fond memories on the grid. She was simply never short of compatriots who about her cannot say a discouraging word.  "Miss Bree" had a simple code of ethics. You need not try so hard to befriend her.. you just already were and possibly always was....

Her friend....
A. Wise, Mayor

Remembrances of an Angel

By Gemma Cleanslate

“I know I don't walk so well , but hey I do love SL for keeping me dry even underwater.”

“Bang   figure out the rest sometime
survived and decided  mmm what have I decided. 
Oh well look at me and  then you will see I didn't make a good decision. Mercysakes” 

That was Breezes!!
 
A wonderful friend for over 10 years, a writer for the SL Newspaper and for the SL Newser for some time. We spent many hours almost every day talking and camping together in the old camping days. We went to parties together and once in a while shopping.

Early on she found a home in Samarkand, a roleplay kingdom that had tourneys, knights, and a Queen. Breezes loved it there, and I was invited to watch a tourney and have lunch with the Queen, whom she loved. It was a splendid place.Breezes made many loving friends there. I thought at the time it would be her long time home in SL.  But the queen died and Samarkand was no more. Breezes was heartbroken and wandered for a long time searching for a new home that she could love as much. 

She loved fashion, and made sure she was always dressed in the latest fashion, why we camped so much!  She shopped the best designers and never threw out the boxes. She worked for Chigadee London in her hat shop, but I will let her tell you about that, and was a shoe model too. 

Finally she found a new home that she loved and has spent the past few years in, Tombstone, that is based on Tombstone Arizona in the late 1800's, as a role player. Her favorite time there was being in the bank, especially when the cavalry came with a deposit. I went to some trials in the town where Breezes was a witness to a crime and it was always fun to listen to her testimony.  I will let the Mayor of Tombstone, Adrian Wise tell you more about her life there. 

When I first met Breezes it was at a party where my then partner, now absent, Qwark Allen, was djing. He invited her and, wow, was I jealous. Here was this gorgeous avatar with spectacular clothes. I thought she was after him (laughter), We became friends though, and when  she learned about my first thoughts she and I had a good laugh. Bree is the one who introduced me to Dana Vanmoer, owner of the SL Newspaper and started me on my way to reporting. 

She  loved dancing at parties and made an effort to stop by at least when she got a call and came in her Tombstone clothing to any kind of party . She came and went like the wind that she was.  Early in our friendship I learned that she did not have any audio, until much later, and never heard the music but was always there gamely dancing.

She was never very good with prims so I helped her move to new homes several times and placed the furniture and moved curtains for her. If you came to visit before I got there you would find furniture and decor in one big pile and curtains everywhere. 

Her friends,Perry Krell and Leigh Elton Krell , planned a new sim that included animals. So Bree became a lion and greeter for that sim. It was one of the only times that I saw her not dressed in finery but the lion was meticulously groomed!! She was also active with the Relay for Life  for many years and dearly remembered for her involvement.

There were so many aspects to Bree, some of which I even do not know though we had many long conversations about life, real and Second Life. 

“Many obstacles in my life .We all have them..With my loving friends they will help guide my way.May any who read these words have the same good friends around you.  The Lord above will watch over us, the angels will wrap their wings around and help guide."..... Her words...

For almost her entire Second Life, her health has not been good. And there were several crises. But she revived so many times after a bad spell I think we all expected her to just  have infinity here. I did get to talk to her for a bit on June 26 for the last time and am happy for that since.  I know it was her last visit to Second Life, and she told me so. As Dolleyes Barbosa of Tombstone said, “  she will be a beautiful angel, and the best dressed one too.”  I will miss her deeply as I know her many friends here will. 

 A poem by Saadi, a knight of Samarkand, who wooed Breezes.

"The day was hot under a cloudless sky‭

The air was still and heavy o’er the city it lie

The city it lay silent sleeping in the heat

Until a gentle breeze came by. 

She whispered o’er the city awakening all she touched

With gentle cooling fingers softer than a dove

She stirred the air around us and made us smile and sigh

And made up feel so happy that a gentle breeze came by. 

We took her to our hearts and bade her always stay

And hoped the love within her would never go away. 

Whe touched out lives and souls with her gentleness that day 

When that gentle breeze came to stay."  

Thanks for the memories and “Thoughts “, Breezes Babii. I hope you have found your Samarkand.  We love you.  

Gemma Cleanslate

Breezes Thoughts: Bixyl and Jasmine

It has been a long  time since I have taken this moment to describe to you the wonderful union of our Bixyl and Jasmine.  The sim was filled with as many friends as could witness the beautiful occasion.

Sitting there and gazing around, gives a solitude of the heart laughter, watching the crowds and comments gave us a moment to realize their finding of each other and the guests were waiting in anticipation the momentous event about to take place.

As the bridemaid  so lovely walked to the the place of honour,  you can feel  a static in the air.  Here comes the proud groom, walking to the future. And the bride that soon followed was so very lovely.

Nydia Tungsten said it all, "a unique world created these two together." And when the vows were read, many tears of happiness were with the guests hearts.  

I believe their vows were the best vows I have ever heard. 
 

So long live their lives of happiness together,

Breezes Babii

Picture from Lomgren Smalls 

For more pictures of the wedding, check out Bixyl's Flickr.