A Profound Loss

[Warp]

Leoites, Potemkinites, and members of the SLA,

I'm not quite sure how to begin with this. Today is a very sad day for the Lionheart and the SLA. I received a phone call a few hours ago telling me that our friend and fellow simmer and host Erika Rheyan passed away last night. She was an incredible person and a prolific simmer, and she touched the lives of countless people in the SLA and beyond. Her loss is tragic to all of those who knew her.

Known in real life as Ande, and also known as Allayah Arkin on the Potemkin and Star Laurent on Into the Darkening Tide, Rheyan joined the SLA eight years ago. She was intensely creative and extremely dedicated, but most of all, she was indefatigably selfless and giving. In real life she was a teacher who worked long hours after her students had left each day, helping her fellow teachers and teaching children to ride horses at a farm in the Pennsylvania countryside. In the SLA, her pride and joy was the Lionheart, but she also poured countless hours into helping people. I can remember her telling me one day that she was sending a simmer a care package during a rough week. Rheyan had never met him in person, but she reached out to him because she was in a position to brighten his day when he needed it most. This was how she operated in everything she did.

It is, ironically, because of her selfless nature that her death arrives as such a surprise. For the past nine months, Rheyan quietly fought a battle with breast cancer. She didn't want anyone to worry, so the few she told kept careful silence. People worried anyway, always curious about where she was and when they'd see their friend again. Today, she would be confident that we will see her again, but that it'll just be a little while in coming.

Tomorrow night's Lionheart sim will be held in memorial of Captain Rheyan, and all who wish to come are invited to join us. The sim takes place at 8:00pm EST/0100 GMT on AIM; send me an IM before sim time (my screen name is CaptWarp) for an invitation. You can also contact Tine Applegate if you don't see me (screen name: TineApplegate).

Ande, I wish you peace from the depths of my heart. Godspeed.

[Kris]

I'll say more tomorrow night, but I wanted to get that put up now for everyone. Feel free to use it.

[ALISON]

This truly is a great loss for the SLA, especially for the Lionheart. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.

[Tori Korin]

My thoughts and prayers to all her friends and family.Bless you all and may there be peace in your hearts.

[MStone]

Let us all hope....no, let us all know she is in a better place. She was a good person and deserves that much.

[AJHoyt]

Death lies on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of the field. --William Shakespeare

[Amy Jacobson]

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends and to everyone who's lives she touched. She truly was the most compassionate and caring person I have ever met.

[Rebekah Morgan]

She will NEVER be forgotten even though i never spoke to her directly she has inspired to be the best simmer i can be... You are starting a new journey

God speed

[Kris]

Those who wish to have the log and did not receive it through their strings (wait a few days) PM me and I shall give it to you.

[brawl]

So...

This is the first time that I've lost someone I've become friends with online. Ande and I weren't close, but she definitely was a mentor here. She helped me get started on the Ark Royal and she was always there for encouragement. She prodded me to run for the council, and up until her falling ill she was always willing to talk and to help out.

Truly a deep loss.

[Rebekah Morgan]

This for you Erika you were a True friend

A friend is somebody who knows you and likes you
exactly the way that you are,
Someone who's special and so close in thought
that no distance can ever seem far;
A friend is somebody who shared all your secrets
and laughs at the same things you do,
Who helps you make plans and is happy to hear
when something nice happens to you.
And whether you're neighbors or live miles apart,
a word from a friend is a lift to your heart and your spirit
that shows you once more why friendship is life's dearest gift.

-- Author unknown

You will never be forgotten