When I joined the Internet world in 1996, I did it with trepidation. Joining a Yahoo group sent me into heart palpitations. The first time I caught a virus I thought I was going to die (an Internet friend rescued me and walked me through rehabilitation). My husband didn't help because he kept telling me some one was going to steal my identity. Geesh.....they can do that sifting through my trash.
I would "brag" about my Internet friends and comment on something they did, or say I had acquired some little bit of knowledge from them, my family and friends would comment, "Her and her imaginary friends." They would scoff and say how much time I was wasting on the computer.
Through the years not only have I obtained first hand knowledge but I have friends which will be in my life forever. Yes, I haven't met most them but I know them and they know me. They have been here to support me in times of crisis. Someone has the answer when I am stumped by a situation. No matter what the time of day or night they are there ready to help.
I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to meet some of these "Imaginary" friends. They have been exactly like their personalities on paper. I think if the non-puter people would think back, these are the new-age pen pals. Everything just happens immediately (not weeks between letters).
I have had a happening which impressed the depth of the relationships we establish on line. During my online experiences we have had births, deaths, marriages, graduations. Everything exactly like we were in a neighborhood. We have shared life.
In one of my groups we had the death of a child. Everyone was shocked and didn't know what to say to the Family. What do you say. I am not known for my lack of ability to put words on paper. In this instance I was speechless. What do you say to a mother who has lost her child. I'm sorry, doesn't seem to cover it. With sympathy doesn't either. It is even more difficult because there is no way to be there for your friend.
Death in any case is always hard, even when you have had years to prepare for the passing. (My mother has been gravely ill for 15 years.) But the passing of a child when it is unexpected has to be the most difficult.
Years of Internet sharing has still not accustomed me to the fact that my "imaginary" friends will suffer life....After all, "imaginary" friends are supposed to only have happily ever after.
I imagine the lives of my friends,
Filled with happiness till day's end,
Everyday things turn out fine,
Imaginary friends are here all the time.
Imaginary friends support me when I'm down,
They don't look at me with a frown,
Condemning, never, they chide with a smile,
My imaginary friends are in my email file.
Amazed I find, their lives I share,
What happens to them, I do care,
I usually don't meet imaginary friends,
But I am here for them, till the day ends.
For more blogs by me visit at:
A blog mostly about quilting, but cooking, poetry, prose and a little gardening,
New blog, tutorial on how to make 5 panel Boxer Shorts.
New Blog about dolls.
blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry
New Blogs about seed sprouting.
Tutorial on planting Strawberries.
As always, any pictures or writings are my own.
Credit has been given to contributions not my own.
Please do not use without permission.