Christina Blount (Cozybear) was found at her home tonight. She passed away sometime during the past two weeks.
I met her many years ago on another board. I remember one night, a couple years ago, a disgruntled member from that board called her. We didn't know him well. He wanted to start his own board out of retaliation. We thought it would be fun to try it, so we created his board that night. By the end of the night, we discovered that there was a 'reason' he was disgruntled. He was not a nice person. I named that board, and it is still around somewhere.
The next morning, we both woke up, our littles disappointed that we did that work, and he kept the board? We sat down that day and started this board, not out of retaliation, but as a place where people could come and talk openly, without being censored. A place where people would care for and respect each other.
We didn't know what we were doing. Someday, I will find the link of the first version of this board. It was of a big ugly planet with green writing and black background. Maybe a few remember. It was just awful. We spent a couple weeks, day and night, designing the board, pretty much as it is now. All of the writing, images, most of the forums were done during those weeks. We stayed up all night many nights working here.
Then, we migrated from ezboard. More long nights. But, we laughed, enjoying every minute. I will never forget how closely we worked and with the same vision. She was one of the kindest people I have ever known. If it were not for her, this board would not exist today.
Once this board was built to our satisfaction, we started designing and writing the home Website. After several weeks and long nights, we completed it - as it remains now - but with another board and creators' name replacing ours'. And an ugly background - lol. Christina will never recieve credit due for the hard work she put into that website - Kate now takes credit for.
But, she was not upset. (We just started in on the new one) - I will release it soon. Together we ran the board for over a year. Christina stepped down as owner, because she was struggling with depression and SU ideation. She wanted to be a member - a part of the community without the responsibilities. She was like many of us. When she was struggling so, she stayed away from the community. She return a month or so ago. I talked her into coming for support.
She was so happy and so proud of what we had all accomplished - a place where people come to talk. A place where everyone cares and respects each other. Despite the problems that I encountered, despite what others out there say - she was proud and amazed when she returned. We had all kept that vision alive. And she couldn't wait to get to know all of you who she hadn't met. The last time I talked to her was the last night she posted here.
I look here at this board tonight, and I remember her and I laughing and picking out images for the board, goofing up the sidebar so many times, before we got it right. Changing everyone's names to be different colors, putting the little online lights on the side. Mostly, I remember waking up one morning with the name 'Ivory Gardens'. She laughed and laughed that I had to have that name. It had nothing to do with DID - I just liked it.
She came last year and visited me for two weeks. We had so much fun, beading, eating out, talking, remembering putting this board together. The support we had found here had saved us both so many times.
She died alone - there in her house for nearly 2 weeks before they found her. I got a call from the neighbor who found my number. Her family - they didn't care - and I guess still don't. Well, we all know the story. Maybe she thought there was no one, nothing out there for her. We have all felt like that.
She left us an amazing gift. I think she knew before she left. She is the heart of this board. I feel her everywhere. And, Christina, "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for us."
I want this to be a tribute to a wonderful person who we will always miss desperately.
I met her many years ago on another board. I remember one night, a couple years ago, a disgruntled member from that board called her. We didn't know him well. He wanted to start his own board out of retaliation. We thought it would be fun to try it, so we created his board that night. By the end of the night, we discovered that there was a 'reason' he was disgruntled. He was not a nice person. I named that board, and it is still around somewhere.
The next morning, we both woke up, our littles disappointed that we did that work, and he kept the board? We sat down that day and started this board, not out of retaliation, but as a place where people could come and talk openly, without being censored. A place where people would care for and respect each other.
We didn't know what we were doing. Someday, I will find the link of the first version of this board. It was of a big ugly planet with green writing and black background. Maybe a few remember. It was just awful. We spent a couple weeks, day and night, designing the board, pretty much as it is now. All of the writing, images, most of the forums were done during those weeks. We stayed up all night many nights working here.
Then, we migrated from ezboard. More long nights. But, we laughed, enjoying every minute. I will never forget how closely we worked and with the same vision. She was one of the kindest people I have ever known. If it were not for her, this board would not exist today.
Once this board was built to our satisfaction, we started designing and writing the home Website. After several weeks and long nights, we completed it - as it remains now - but with another board and creators' name replacing ours'. And an ugly background - lol. Christina will never recieve credit due for the hard work she put into that website - Kate now takes credit for.
But, she was not upset. (We just started in on the new one) - I will release it soon. Together we ran the board for over a year. Christina stepped down as owner, because she was struggling with depression and SU ideation. She wanted to be a member - a part of the community without the responsibilities. She was like many of us. When she was struggling so, she stayed away from the community. She return a month or so ago. I talked her into coming for support.
She was so happy and so proud of what we had all accomplished - a place where people come to talk. A place where everyone cares and respects each other. Despite the problems that I encountered, despite what others out there say - she was proud and amazed when she returned. We had all kept that vision alive. And she couldn't wait to get to know all of you who she hadn't met. The last time I talked to her was the last night she posted here.
I look here at this board tonight, and I remember her and I laughing and picking out images for the board, goofing up the sidebar so many times, before we got it right. Changing everyone's names to be different colors, putting the little online lights on the side. Mostly, I remember waking up one morning with the name 'Ivory Gardens'. She laughed and laughed that I had to have that name. It had nothing to do with DID - I just liked it.
She came last year and visited me for two weeks. We had so much fun, beading, eating out, talking, remembering putting this board together. The support we had found here had saved us both so many times.
She died alone - there in her house for nearly 2 weeks before they found her. I got a call from the neighbor who found my number. Her family - they didn't care - and I guess still don't. Well, we all know the story. Maybe she thought there was no one, nothing out there for her. We have all felt like that.
She left us an amazing gift. I think she knew before she left. She is the heart of this board. I feel her everywhere. And, Christina, "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for us."
I want this to be a tribute to a wonderful person who we will always miss desperately.
