Only time moves on to the next scene. Memory remains part
of the heart forever...
The first time I met Julie face to face was in London at the ICE in January 2002. And it was if we had known each other for much longer, in fact we had. She was the "effervescent" and much admired persona behind "Gambling Grumbles", a popular spot for disgruntled gamblers to air their grievances against online casinos. She had been doing this for a couple of years, and I had my "Pitch a Bitch" section at Casinomeister, another spot where dissatisfied gamblers can moan and groan. Even though we served the same purpose, assisting troubled online gamblers, we handled our jobs a bit differently.
We hit it off right away. You could feel her joy. She was so spunky and energetic. It was a treat just to listen to Julie, her "positive vibes" immersed us all.
We talked business at first. I still have my notes concerning questions I had of her: how did she sort and organize her complaints, how did she handle "non-responsive" casinos, was she having the same "current" problems that I was having. She was a pool of knowledge for me since handling complaints was her sole function, and for me it was just one of many things I do here at Casinomeister. Julie was an employee of Gambling.com and ran "Gambling Grumbles", yet her position required her to entertain any and all complaints she received. This was her sole duty. Me? I'm the one who runs this website, I do the graphics, the designing, the html and scripting. I answer marketing questions, and handle all the advertising. I moderate the forum, answer the website's email, and finally - handle the casino complaints. In essence, I am free to say pretty much how I feel about anything to include scamming casinos and fraudulent players. And unlike me who has total control over the content and actions of this website, Julie had to answer to others; she had to maintain her cool, be calm and collective, and move on to the next complaint. This took a lot of restraint and poise on her part.
Our work was just one of the things that bonded us. When we would meet (about three - four times a year), we would set aside some time to just gossip and share laughs. There were a number of times when we would be dealing with the same player scams or dirty casino tricks, which were enlightening as well as entertaining. And many times we had some really great success stories where we helped someone out; these we would share as well.
So what was Julie's success story? It was her. She was her own "success story" and she probably didn't even realize it. Confined to a wheelchair from a horseback riding accident, she was in constant pain, but this pain she kept to herself. She never complained, but sometimes she would let loose. I remember her telling me how she received a player complaint from a woman who was having difficulties at some online casino. This woman became irate with Julie when Julie ruled in favor of the online casino, not her. She told Julie off stating that she (the player) was a handicapped woman and that everyone was taking advantage of her. "Imagine that!" Julie told me, "This made me so mad! So I wrote her, 'Let me tell you something about being handicapped, lady...'"
It was not only Julie's strength that was inspiring, but it was her warmth. We lived thousands of miles apart, and being an expatriated American I enjoyed listening to her Western "drawl"; it made me homesick. She was an Oklahoman, and I've always liked the "Okies". I used to kid about how when I was a US Paratrooper, we would train at some reservist camp near Muskogee. And one weekend they cut us loose to go drink beer somewhere (it had to be beer; hard liquor was off limits, go figure that). Anyway, my guys and I found ourselves standing in the back of some cowboy's pickup truck, half lit, cruising down Main Street in downtown Muskogee at midnight yelling "yahoo!". I used to kid Julie that she could have been witness to this debauchery.
I miss Julie, and it's painful realizing that we'll never joke around again...at least not in this lifetime. She was a member of our forum at Casinomeister, and participated in one of the "secret clubhouses" that the forum hosts. Her account is still there, and I see that she was in the forum only five days before she died, giving us advice and sharing her thoughts. I look at this and think to myself, "Well, what do I do now?"
Julie was my friend, and she not only touched me, but so many others...
From Tony and Gerrie:
Herb...Gerrie and I send our love...we know how much you will miss her. Never complain, always smile, think of others, laugh when you should cry, be stronger than all of us...this was Julie. Gerrie and I took so much from her...I will save her last email from Thanksgiving. God bless you. Tony
From Ted:
I will miss her greatly. Julie was a shining beacon to all that knew her - she had a go get 'em attitude that was second to none - she gave so much to players and the Got2bet industry in general - and she never let anything get in her way.
From Chip:
A strong advocate for ethical behavior and fairness in the gaming world is a rarity by any standards. Julie's untimely passing is a blow to countless people, but the standards she leaves us are indelible marks for which to be grateful.
Condolences to family and friends.
From Marilyn
To all whose lives she touched, Julie Sidwell was an inspiration to everyone. Her indomitable energy and unflagging positive attitude was the definitive example of living every day to the fullest, no matter what!
If there is a heaven, Julie is up there making sure everyone is treated fairly and can rest assured she will be remembered by all down here on earth.
Condolences to us all!
From Dee
I never had to the pleasure of meeting Julie in person, but I got to know her from our emails back and forth over the last few years. She was a very smart, sweet lady, and worked very hard to help people.
I was shocked to hear of her passing, but I know that now she's in a better place, and I'll always remember her.
These are but a few drops in an ocean of love for Julie. We miss you.
...When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in her may be clearer in her absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught...
