We gathered at the Keepers of the Virtuous Path [KVP] guildhall to honor and celebrate our beloved friend, guild mate, and sister, Gypsy Keja Mimi, "Kimmie", whose love she so willingly shared to all that she met along her journey of life.


Pup Barleycorn[KVP] graciously helped greet attendees as they arrive …



As more friends and ‘family’ arrived, they were invited to read the books in the walkway, which were written by “Kimmie”, her sister Denise, friends, and various other authors.


Kimberly’s full blog is on her myspace site… http://www.myspace.com/kejamimi





“Kim’s” friends came from far-and-wide, including other shards, many that we had not seen in game for ages.








After everyone found a seat, the Celebration of Life Memorial Service for our dearly loved friend began…

Addressing a full house, Lady Lavendar [KVP] welcomed everyone, and then took a moment to explain the agenda for the evening as well as inviting the guests to utilize blank journals on the floor to write their condolences in after the service. These messages are going to Kim’s family in real life for their comfort and special memories.



Kim knew this day in UO would come all too soon, and when she asked me many months ago to help put together some ‘thoughts’ for us, I was humbled.

The most important message to all of us that she wanted to express is...

"My dearly loved friends … always remember that it’s a matter of celebrating the blessing of life given to us."

Kim also wanted to share a few of her poems and a few of her favorite readings, with the hope that they bring some comfort and encouragement to all.

The following recitation is from Kim’s wishes on what she wanted to pass on…


Celebration of Life...

The celebration of life,
shared in the beginning, and again, in the end.
Yet we forget to celebrate it, in every moment we live.
Time, days, years, go on, but are we alive?
Alive and do not know it, sleeping in the world
and dead to the life we are to live.
To celebrate all life,
the sparrow who sang in the morning,
and died in the night,
why do we not celebrate its life?
To know thyself is to know you are alive -
to give, to love, to seek truth, beauty, and suffer pain.
In life as it is meant to be, pain is forgotten, and
strength is all that's left to be gained
in the moment by moment celebration of life.

*silent pause*

There is a special place in our hearts
for those we have loved, for those who have loved us
without question, without a word or promise...
There is a special place where there is no pain or fear,
where love flows freely...
There is a special place to rest in our hearts forever.

*pause*

Memories in the Heart...
Feel no guilt in laughter, I know how much you care
Feel no sorrow in a smile that I'm not here to share
You cannot grieve forever, I do not want you to
I hope that you can carry on, the way you always do
So talk about the good times and the ways we showed we cared
The days we spent together, all the happiness we shared...
Let only loving memories surround us.

*pause for reflection*

A word someone may say...
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day...
That brings her back as clearly as though she were still here...
And fills us with the feelings that she is always near...
For if we keep these moments, we will never be apart...
And she will live forever locked safe within our hearts.

*moment of silence*

The following is an excerpt from one of her poems...

Seeing Dreams...

The saddest thing is to lose your Dreams
When others tell you so
When they come true
As they will
A blind Heart will not know
Let not Reason view secret Dreams
With all its 'hows' and 'whys'
Better for them
Being seen
Through Love and Opened Eyes

Written by Kimberly Bryant
Compete text can be read on her website at Gypsy Keja Mimi Writing Forum

*pause*

I turn my head and look towards death now.
Feeling my way through the tunnel with the space of
emptiness and quiet.
The shimmering silence that awaits me.
This is my direction now; inward to the green pastures...
The cares of the world concern me no longer.
I have completed this life. My work is done.
I have loved much and well...
Those I leave behind, I love.
I hope I will remain in their hearts as they will
in mine...
Thank you for taking such good care of me...
And all of you who have been my friends, thank you
for teaching me about love.

*reflective pause*

After Glow...

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after glow
of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun
of happy memories
that I leave
when my life is done

*silent pause*

A Silent Tear...

Just close your eyes and you will see
All the memories that you have of me
Just sit and relax and you will find
I'm really still there inside your mind
Don’t cry for me now I'm gone
For I am in the land of song
There is no pain, there is no fear
So dry away that silent tear
Don’t think of me in the dark and cold
For here I am, no longer getting 'old'
I'm in that place that’s filled with love
Known to you all, as "UP ABOVE"

*pause*

I Wish You Enough...
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye.

*silence*

A Word....
There is a word, of grief the sounding token.
There is a word bejeweled with bright tears.
The saddest word fond lips have ever spoken,
‘Tis a little word that breaks the chain of years.
Its utterance must ever bring emotion,
The memories it crystals cannot die.
‘Tis known in every land, on every ocean,
It is...
Goodbye.


**********

After taking a few moments of silence, we will continue with the service…
If needed, please light your candles now. Thank you.

*pause in reference*

Today we celebrate your life, sweet Kim,
although for us on earth it was so short ...

Each night when we shed a silent tear,
as we speak to you in silent prayer…
To let you know we love you,
and just how much we care...

Take our million teardrops,
wrap them up in love…
then ask the wind to carry them,
to YOU in heaven above.

*pause*

Kimmie you were...
A gift for such a little while,
your loss just seems so wrong,
you should not have left before us,
it’s with loved ones you belong.
Nevertheless,
As you danced in the light with joy,
love lifted you.
As you brushed against
this world so gently, you lifted us.

*pause*

As the Proverb says, "Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names."

Kim, forever your name is lovingly etched in us with this wonderful 'final chuckle of life’, you penned...

"Cancer sucks But LIFE is WONDERFUL!!!”
"Good Fortune to you my friends!!”
“We shall meet once again upon the winds of time."

*pause*

I am sure there are those of you who would like to say a few words about Kimmie, so for now, I raise my cookie rolling pin in salute to a true friend and a most honorable woman!*salute and a big cookie hug, to you, our little angel*

*pause*



Although some friends and her family were unable to attend, they sent their thoughts as well:



Heaven holds the faithful departed. Thank you for being our friend on earth, and our angel in heaven. “Mike”


Our precious little Gypsy, so kind, modest and caring, full of dignity and decency, our sunshine…We are so proud of you and so blessed to be your friend. You are in our thoughts and prayers always. Your heartbroken friends, Jimbo and Willow


Kimmie,
Even though you have left spirit, your memory and us will live on within those who love you. I am truly blessed and thankful to have known you and counted you as a friend over the years. No one may ever know how much you truly did for others, but I know what you've done for me. My love always, “Calell"


A little flower lent not given, to bud on earth and bloom in Heaven. We will never forget you. You will always be in our hearts and minds. We will love you always, Ravenloff and Sue


As the service concluded those in attendance ...


were reminded that blank journals were available for them to write their condolences in ...


as well as valentine cards that would be inscribed by Gypsy Keja Mimi for anyone who wanted a keepsake from her, ...


and that all were invited to the roof for a short social gathering.

Was a nice ceremony, ya did a great job, Mum.
(P.S I'm the bald guy in black, hehe)

Mum that was really beautiful. I wish I got to know her. *BIG HUGS* for you and her friends!

That Looked Like A Beautiful Ceramony Hnk All Around

What a truly moving ceremony.I was in tears by the end of reading that [ for the second time today].

You did a wonderful job Queen Mum,and I am sure Kimi is very proud to of had such wonderful friends.

*HUGGS*

a question? was this person a shard reporter for Stratics? there used to be a person with this name on there and i wondered if they where the same person.

Welcome to UOForums,brewrite and yes it is the same Lady,as you will see here

then i am very saddened as she was very nice to me in the game. i shall miss her deeply...

Well done Queen Mum.
While some folks will always continue to say it's just a game, I will continue to think it's become more than that. The community that has developed around this game is truly amazing and truly interacts with our everyday real lives. As with all things there is a balance, the happiness a world such as this brings also brings the pain of deep loss when someone such as Kimmie passes on.
May the light shine on her new path and may she look kindly down upon us all.

Se'an