Does it really matter what holiday, what bit of spirituality or connection you celebrate at this time of year?  Even the over commercialized wrapping of a small event that is in return loudly clamored about by the organizations that claim the day realizes that at the core of the hype, there is one truth.  Family.

Even if you cannot be with them at this time of year thoughts turn to those that are related in some small way.  Blood, bond, soul...  A family is more than acknowledging those that share blood, it is also those that you have accepted into your life, for good or bad that have some sort of ken.

Ken?  There are three words to describe relationships at this level, perhaps there are more fancier ones that have been debated, but these three hold the proper meanings, blurry as the definitions may be.

Kin is blood, by birth or by marriage, those socially accepted as related, family.

Kith is community which could be town, religion, school or any manner of a realized bond.

Ken is soul, those that somehow came together recognizing a mutual relationship to some degree.  It is the hardest of the three to explain even if examples are often close at hand, as the relationships can at times be fluid.  The other most basic definition of ken would be friend.

No matter whom you spend time with this season, kin, ken or kith, make it a joyous one from heart and soul.

Happy Holidays

~Arbreth

August 11th five months after my father died and I still weep.  Since Daddy died my sister had a baby girl, I hope to get out there these holidays to see them, or at least send my kids to see them.  I try to call my stepmother regularly, but I know she hurts still and is keeping busy with her youngest grandchildren. 

I have a new job, one I am enjoying especially the commute.  Before I traveled 45 miles one way, now, less than three.  It is contract, but the client is long term and they offer further training.

I still love EQ2, still play and am active in the community.  Most times I can be found on Slipps(Sliipps) in the evening, but I do pop in on my TN toons almost daily.  Which reminds me I need to check the bank again.  Slipps is in the Vagabond Knights a very active RP guild.  I still have a character in the Knights of Freeport, Sthafaris, but Inqe(Inqqe) is no longer with them, she is partially on hold for the moment until I can get a partner to run the other side of the Consulate.  Irontou is in the Home Guard, a Qeynos Guild.

A note about the Home Guard, the reins for that baby RP guild are being handled by Aeyron (Ryanna, Merriana, Anastarisa, Seraphinia, etc...), if you are looking for an RP guild on the good side with a militaristic bend that is not constant, send him a tell.  He is looking to start building this up now.  The premise is easy; citizens of Qeynos have a national guard to supplement their regular forces.

The AB server recently finished up another player run event, the 3rd Antonican Campaign.  While I am sorry to say that despite the valient efforts of Qeynos we lost the war, I am happy to report that the Freeportians went home without breaching the walls of the city itself.

The next event will be the Festival of the Sands later this month in Maj'Dul, and this Fall is the Festival of Discord.  Keep an eye on the Raven-Mythic for these and other RP events and stories.

As for the rest of EQ2, another expansion is coming in November, this one will include BeastLords, something the communty has been begging and dreading for years.  A Tradeskill AA tree will be added, the Class tree is being revamped, again, and itemization for dropped equipment stats is being revamped (also again).  Fae and Arasai will learn to fly later and Freeport is getting a facelift.  Player made dungeons are being offered as well and there is alot if interest in these.  Some of these things may occur with the GU61 update later this month as well as other goodies.

Premonitions

I have them, often they are able to prepare me, so this time I thought I was when my brother told me Daddy went back into the hospital on Tuesday with a lot of pain.  Up until then I was trying to be positive, to hold hope, it's what I do...  This time though, I knew.  I warned my supervisor that my phone was on (we are not allowed to have them on the floor), what was happening.  I knew.

But after I heard nothing, today (3/10) I felt I had to call, to check.  Drew called me first.  Daddy called the family together, he was tired, could not fight anymore, he wanted to say goodbye.

They gave him the phone, he kept gasping, but I understood him.  I told him I loved him, to be at peace, to not be in pain anymore.  He kept trying to say I love you to, he said my name.  I cried, I accept this, but it hurts and I cried.

He was fine at Christmas, in January he did not feel well and they found an orange sized tumor.  He did not react well to the chemo, the tumor grew.  I do not even know the name of the cancer that is taking my daddy, only where the tumor is.  I am not even sure if it is cancerous in and of itself.

I love you daddy, always have, always will.