I’ve been internetless but got a chance and popped in just to see what was going on with the SDMB.
After reading this and seeing that beautiful smile, I’m truly saddened I never got to meet Cristi. I’ve been moved to tears by this event so the next time somone says “it’s just a message board” think of this…
My thoughts and prayers go out to Cristi’s loved ones and friends.
I can’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t sound trite.
I’ll be praying for the family.
[sub]God, that sounded trite[/sub]
I just got back from the funeral.
Firstly I have a ton of people to thank. Thanks to Wierddave and Ginger of the North for buying the airplane tickets so I could go out there. Thanks to Scotticher for providing the hotel room. Big thanks to DaveW0071 for letting me get his shoulders soaked more than a few times yesterday and to True Pisces for just being there emotionally. Thank to everyone who e-mailed me your condolensces; I’ll never have the time to answer everyone personally but jusy know that your kindess will never be forgotten.
And big, big thanks to Tim, who had more reason in the world to shut me out, but continually welcomed me and showed such concern for my welfare.
There’s not too much I can say about Cristi that hasn’t been said already.
She was my lover. She was my confidant. She was my future. And she was my best friend. Such a combination in one woman is rare indeed.
She wasn’t a complicated woman. I remember when I bought the Civil War DVD set and had no more use for the video tapes and asked her if she wanted them. She was absolutely ecstatic (or “geeked” in her words.) She would consider a trip to a museum and, a walk through the park and dinner with friends a perfect day. I’m glad I was able to give that to her before she left us.
A lot of things were important to her, but for some reason the things that were important to me seemed to be her first priority. We took the walk through Central Park primarily because we had been in New York City several times and had not yet set foot in the park. But also because the one thing that my son wanted me to see while I was there was the statue of Balto. So she took the time to help me find it. For him.
One of Cristi’s favorite movies was Finding Nemo. I can’t say it was her absolute favorite, but the kids watch it a lot, so she watched it a lot. She always identified with Dory. She could be so forgetful at times but she was always there helping people find there way. And if she were here to help me find a way through this I think she would be using the words that Dory said to Nemo’s father.
Just keep swimming …
I was talking with Cristi on the phone probably right before she passed away. She always called me right before I went to bed to say goodnight. So I’ll close this with the last words she said to me; quite possibly the last words she said to anyone.
Sleep well, angel.
Sleep well, angel. Beautiful words from a beautiful person.
Thank you Patrick. You deserved each other.
Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.
John Lennon, Beautiful Boy
So sad. I always enjoyed Cristi’s posts and, of course, I’ve always had an affinity for Michigan Dopers, having once been one myself.
You know what really got to me though? Suddenly seeing all these Dopers use their real names in their posts. That makes it so much more personal and so much more real.
Patrick, beautiful post. Seriously. My condolences to you, Tim, and the rest of the family.
God bless,
Dave
Thank you for posting that, Patrick.
I really don’t know what else to say, other than that you made me cry at work, dammit.
Take care of yourself, even if it’s the last thing on your mind right now. Keep swimming, works too.
Tim and Patrick’s posts made me cry too.
Something lives on in the people left here, in the relationships and friendships had.
Thank you Patrick for your beautiful post. My heart goes out to all those who loved Christi.
May all of you find the strength to just keep swimming.
Oh, Euty. 
My condolences.
In may not seem like it now, but you will eventually make it to 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney Australia.
I don’t know what to say…
Persephone was one of my favorites on the boards. Whenever I saw her name on a post, I’d usually read it, 'cause her posts were usually fun to read. I don’t think I traded more than 5-6 posts with her on the boards, but I got the sense that this was someone who I wanted to meet some day.
I’m a Michigan Doper too. I live near Lansing, and Flint is maybe 60 miles from my home. I thought about going to the dopefest that she hosted, but decided not to - I had something else that I needed to do. Now I’ll never get to meet her face to face. Crap.
Tim, Patrick/Euty, please accept my most heartfelt condolences. I can’t possibly imagine what you’re going through.
If someone sets up a trust fund for the kids, would the mods please put it at the top of the list as a “sticky”, so that we can see it right away?
There are no adequate words, so I’ll resort to the traditional ones. I am deeply saddened to learn of this sudden and tragic loss. I offer what condolences I can to her family and wide circle of friends.
**Patrick **,
Your words were beautiful and thank you for posting here, I cannot imagine just how hard that must have been for you.
Cristi was truly a remarkable person and she will not be forgotten.
**Tim ** Thank you for your post. Your words of the events that you have had to endure can help alot of dopers here who knew Cristi in the internet community where she was a part of our imaginary on-line family. Without sounding trite, what you have endure and how you managed to write it down for people that you really don’t know, is an amazing feat. You did it beautifully and it was from the heart.
She spoke very highly of your musical talent, very highly, and wanted everyone to hear your music as she heard your music: incomparably great stuff. She was very proud of your music and your talents. Very proud.
Having lost my own father when I was 9, I would like to heartily recommend, nay, shove at you, grief counceling for not only yourself, but the children. Definately for the kids. As they get older, this loss will only become a deeper chasm in their lives.
In the meantime, I humbly recommend a couple of books that are geared for kids dealing with this very subject: Badger’s Parting Gifts and
Mountians of Tibet > The first deals with the lessons we have silently learned from a loved one no longer with us. The second is about reincarnation and the choices we make after life to chose between eternal reward or a do-over.
Crisit walked a different path, learned from the knocks in life, took her lumps and rolled along with the punches ans shared her non-judgement knowledge with us lesser mortals. She was comfortable in her skin about who she was. Not many people every find such contentment. She was a class act.
Peace.
Joan
Fuck. Shit. Damn. Aw that sucks.
I never knew her that much, but I remember she organized a lot of “help your fellow Doper in need” kinds of events, and the username stuck out so I usually paid a little attention when she made a post. She seemed like a nic lady. I’m sorry, guys.
Aw, hell, Patrick…
I’m gonna lay down and hold the girl I love. I don’t know what else to do.
My condolences to everyone in this thread, especially Tim and Patrick/Eutychus. And her kids. Especially her kids. God–how horrible.
I never knew her IRL, but she always seemed like a really cool person. I’d read her threads, and she seemed to have a great heart and a really good sense of what was really important in life.
Wonderful sentiments for obviously a wonderful person. You’re all blessed that knew her. This has been very touching which, apparently, fits Persophene to a “t”.
we’re so very sorry…our thoughts are with you.
I’m really saddened by this. She was one of the nicest and kindest posters around.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Cristi’s family, friends, and loved ones.
No words can express my deepest sympathies for all who knew and loved her.
Thank you, Persephone, for sharing yourself with us.