ANNOUNCEMENT: AOH

As some of you may or may not be aware, there was a topic of immense proportions that was addressed among the BM’s several months ago. It was discussed for a while, then dropped with the understanding that if things did not change, it would be revisited towards the end of the year. Well, the time has come for the topic to be revitalized, and, after careful consideration, a decision has been reached.

There is no easy way to say this, no sugar coating that can be applied to make this revelation any easier to those who do not wish to accept. But we will attempt to make somewhat of an explanation as to what brought this final decision about.

In its heyday, Angels of Heaven was a thriving metropolis of interest and activity. The storylines were rich and exciting, everyone was excited to post, and anxious to see what was going to happen. In truth, the whole of the roleplay was an incredible place to be, with interesting people who made life so much more worth living.

True enough, people and characters did tend to come and go, and though there was some sadness at more than a few of the losses, there was always a deeper understanding that more would come. And for a long time, that was indeed the case.

Through the years, so many people have drifted through the doors of AoH. Even a few of our current members have been away, but were drawn back by the lure, the memories of what a terrific place to be this was. However, the golden age has long passed, and we find ourselves reaching a point where there no longer seems to be any sunshine waiting on the horizon and difficult decisions become necessary.

Here are the facts.

Although our character count is at 23, our member number is currently at seven people. Recently, one has returned to the AoH fold, but our last real actual newbie is so far distant in memory that we probably would have to search to tell you who it was. There are no join requests coming in anymore. And the more we look around, the more we see tired faces who are holding on strictly out of loyalty and love for the roleplay. Most people are tired and bored with their storylines, posting only out of duty.

Therefore, we have decided to make this a bit easier, and yet for some, infinitely harder.

This is the decision that has been reached, so please pay attention. It is difficult enough to say this once.

Effective Sunday December 18th, the Angels of Heaven Roleplay is closing its doors. Any last posts that anyone wants to do should be in by the closing of that previous posting week. Inactivity will be lax for these last few weeks, and although we would really like for all of you to do final posts, it is not a requirement and would be completely understood if some chose not to do so.

Just to be clear. This is not a joke. This is not an April Fool’s prank, or more specifically, this is not a holiday practical joke to make you jump before the season is fully upon us. This letter is completely straightforward and to the point, and accurate, if not sad to both write and read.

The BM’s will each be including a more personal goodbye, and everyone is welcomed and encouraged to say your own goodbyes to the roleplay. AoH has had a long and magnificent past, a legacy that has endured near on seven years. Quite simply though, it is dying, and the time has come to let it fade softly into the night.

Good luck to all.


Sincerely,
Shay
Marie
Julie

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When the time came to sum up my experiences with and memories of AoH, I drew a blank. One word, one memory wouldn't capture it all. Where should I begin, I wondered, in fitting almost four years into a few paragraphs? There seemed no elegant way to mourn the loss of such a part of my life, only an honest way, in which I might remember AoH in a fitting tribute.

AoH was not the first roleplay I joined; I had experience in one or two other V.C. A roleplays. AoH was prestigious though, it meant something to be accepted. I can still remember, one spring day, having to work up the nerve to submit a test request for Leigh VanVoreen - although that was nothing compared to the elation I felt when I was actually welcomed in as Leigh, and later, as Dawn Longchamp, Ellsbeth Whitefern, and Christopher Dollanganger Jr., to name a few.

Each new character was an honor, as were my positions as Casteel Cabinet Member and Board Member. I loved updating my Casteelios on what was going on, and helping to keep the roleplay running smoothly. I remember, when I got the 'yes' to become Casteel CM, I was -so- awed at my new responsibilities. And I felt so privileged when I received the invitation to join the elite Board.

The last years have, in many ways, helped me. My writing has strengthened. And I have been part of an amazing group. I can truly say that in the aspect of AoH, these last years have flown by.

Along the way, I have made good friends. I've faced challenges - how to respond to some posts written by those I was interacting with?. I have laughed and I have cried. There are things about AoH that I will never forget - Survivor Farthy, Survivor Houma, winning my first awards, playing all my characters, creating or just being a part of awesome plots, in-series chats, new members.

And then there are those we have lost along the way, and those who have returned, those who stayed - everyone. Without each of them, AoH would not have been what it was.

In the end, it was not the rules, the traditions, or even the characters played who made AoH what it was. It was always the people behind the characters, story lines, rules, traditions. Without them, there would have been no AoH. Whether they - we - were here for one year or seven, each of us contributed something. For that, I thank you.

I don't know what else to say, except I will -always- miss this roleplay and the people who made it what it was. I am thankful I was here for so much of it.

Marie

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It was more than five years ago that I first joined AoH. I can still remember the excitement, the absolute elation of being awarded the character of Cat Carson. I remember the fun of roleplaying, of reading all of the posts that came through. It was a real amazing part of my life, and AoH was the first roleplay, the first group that ever accepted me fully as a member.

Over the years, tastes have changed. I left the roleplay for a few months, only to come back as Our Jane, then later, Toni, Melanie, Abby, and Laura. I have gone from the bottom of the ladder to the top, from roleplayer, to either becoming or being a temp Cabinet Member for Casteel, Doll, Cutler, Hudson, and Logan. And then, one blessed day I was invited to join the Board, and I have to say, I swear I heard the Angels singing. It was a very memorable moment of my life.

There are just so many things to be said right now, and for the life of me I’m not even certain that I can say them all. This roleplay has been so important to me. Even when I owned the Pavillion, AoH still always took first priority to me. It was, quite simply, bigger and more important in many ways than so many other things.

It has been a long journey for me. Twice, I left the roleplay, but there was always the knowledge in the back of my head that it was still here, that it existed and went on without me. Now, the future seems a little bleaker, knowing that AoH will no longer be a place that I can come back to, or help to flourish and grow, but a pleasant memory that will forever rest in my heart and soul.

I am truly thankful for all that I have received in this roleplay. The storylines, the excitement, the drama that, although it seemed a little over the top at the time, is now something that helped to make me who I am.

I think though, that what I am most thankful for, are the friends that I have made here. There are relationships that were begun within this roleplay, that I am certain will last me forever. And if there is one thing that I hope, it is that we can all remain in touch. I’ve always been horrible about that, but I do pray that we will continue to be friends, even when this main connector between us all has been laid to rest.

In closing, I have to agree with Shay. The time has simply come, and no matter how much it hurts, and how tight my chest feels right now, I bid adieu to one of the places that will forever hold a part of my soul.

Goodbye AoH, may your memory live forever within us all.


Julie

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It feels as if I am losing a limb. AoH is part of me now and always will be. It has been my baby since its conception a "million years ago" (that's what it feels like to me). I have nurtured it and watched it grow up and like a good parent, I guess it is time to finally let go.

How sad this makes me feel yet it's so much better to do this now than to wait til AoH is nothing with no writers and no roleplaying and...no fun! I would hate that.

Long ago, Kimmi, Sammi, and I jokingly decided to create a VCA roleplay. We never thought it would last very long. Kimmi left. Sammi left. But I stayed around while they finished college and started their adult lives. They kept in touch, watched the website, and generally knew, with pride, that they had helped create something that was simply wonderful to so many people.

Once upon a time, AoH had 99 members at its largest! 99! Can you believe that? Those were the days of the one liner emails and the...silliest writing I could ever imagine. But even looking back, it was memorable in its own way and without it, AoH would have never shaped into what it has become. In its own way, it went from being a silly roleplay to one of the most serious VCA roleplays on the internet.

And then came the days where we wanted quality versus quantity. Did you know that was our motto in the board? Likely not, but that should make you feel pride of your own knowing that you - YOU - were QUALITY! So many people did not make the cut to join us..but here you are!

I could sit here and write out every memory I have of this roleplay or tell you how heartbroken I am to close its doors. But I can't. Of course I'm hurting...but I'm so proud of AoH! The timing is appropriate and as sad as it may be to each of you, I think seven years is one hell of a run!!!! Most roleplays don't ever make it that long so three cheers for us!

I will definitely miss the roleplay. I will miss the good, the bad, and even the ugly.... And we've definitely had some ugggglllyyyyy...

Here's to the old Board Members: Kimmi, Sammi, Reie, Tara, & Lis...and the many roleplays who were in and out of our lives so often during AoH's existence.

Here's to Jamilla, Jill B., Julie, and Gloria....

The Pink Panther and Shaylock Holmes.

The Happy Meal Incidents.

Stacie's Excorcism!

The "Glory" Days.

The Phantom Menace Eugenia.

WHOREBORIN!

Janet the Ghost!!!!!

Philip and his Dog, Tito. ;)

Jill and the Jello!

The Cross Dressing Tony!

The Hilarity that was every single Clara Sue post!


And the MANY MANY MANY wonderful characters and plots that made me cry, laugh, sigh, smile, and totally mad! (I could list you all but it would take days to type!!! lol.)

And here's to each of you: xxooxxoo

I love you ALL in my own special way.


For the last time,
Ruby...and Fanny *sobs*

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