When I was a young girl I had a pen pal in England. Her name was Claire. She was my pen pal from The Big Blue Marble show through their Dear Pen Pal feature. I never met her, but we wrote each other for years. As we became tweens, we drifted apart and the letters got fewer and fewer until I didn’t hear from her anymore. I considered her my best friend and in that short time that we were pen pals, we shared much of our lives, little girl dreams and secrets with each other. I still think of her often and wonder how she is and what she’s doing now. She was someone who left an imprint on this thing called my life.
Today we have the internet and we can connect with strangers and like-minded individuals. I can say that I have met some really awesome people online, and some not so awesome ones. I never used to have a public blog or forum, but four years ago I opened up my blog and in July 2008, while I was blogging about the Caylee Anthony case, I was flooded with people on my forum. I made a lot of friends…and probably an enemy or ten. One of the persons I met online ended up becoming a very close friend. I have never met her, but feel like I’ve known her my whole life. We talked on the phone and emailed, and I always knew when I was feeling down that I could count on her to prop me up. She was selfless and loved by so many of us who have managed to stay in touch since I closed the forums. Who knew that the text I received on Tuesday would be the last one I would ever get from her. She passed away this weekend and I am heartbroken.
I guess my message for this blog entry is that our time here on this planet is not forever. Life is uncertain and we never know when we won’t have the opportunity to let those we care about KNOW that we care about them. People come, and people go, but everyone in my life has enriched my life in some manner. So, to all of my online friends, I just want you to know that you are no less important to me than the ones in real life. I am richer in this life because I have known each of you.
RIP dear friend. You are missed more than you will ever know.
I am sorry for your loss, but we are all richer for having found each other in this big wide world. Each of us brings something to the table, with an open mind we learn and grow. That is what makes life so much better than going it alone. Thank you for being in my life. I value you as my friend.
Thank you. I said the other night that as a result of this case, a group of people who were at opposing viewpoints have all managed to come together and become friends and still respect each others’ opinions. I think that is pretty incredible, and it shows that even though we might not all think the same - we respect each other. I’m glad to have found each of you.
I’m sorry about your loss. A good friend of mine passed away a couple of years ago and it’s never easy to deal with. Definitely makes you appreciate “life” a little more, though.
It sure does.
I’m sorry for your loss. I think if it was somebody from your forum, many people will miss her.
She is missed dearly.
Prinnie,
I am so sorry for your loss. I experienced the loss of a “virtual” friend in 2010. We met on a blog as fellow commentors and later conversed using various mediums: Twitter, email, forum message, etc. We were not as close as you & your friend have been but I do have other virtual friends who I consider to be. When Drama Queen passed it really made a huge impact on me. I was never so honored as when I was asked by her real life family to convey thier heartfelt thanks to her “Virtual” friends. They asked me to tell everyone just how much her online time had meant to her; that she had a large, successfull, & loving multi-generational family; AND that she honestly felt like she was doing some GOOD for the children both Missing and/or Murdered. The online WAR she waged against EVIL & OPPRESSION made her family PROUD!!! It is what we all should strive to achieve.
I recently told my “virtual” friends :
“I find it funny how people often think nothing of building a romantic relationship stricktly online but think a platonic friendship could never be built that strong. Bologna!!! We share of ourselves, our hopes, dreams & future aspirations. We talk about our backgrounds & families, our morals & beliefs. The only thing that we don’t have is a 100% guarantee that the other person is being truthfull about things. Then again, what relationship does have that guarantee? (Hugs to all)”
Another of your “Virtual” friends,
HGM
I’m happy to have met you, too HGM.
I completely share your feelings about people on line. My online community of friends has enriched my life. The internet has changed my thoughts on many things. We all fight our own health demons and I have felt support from my friends online. I lost a friend about 4 years ago, she had an aneurysm at work and had been a very active member of a yahoo list I had… I can’t bear to remove her email addy from desk book and although she was many miles and states away we all made sure her 3 rescue dogs were adopted and found homes. Now I think to myself, any day above ground is a good day and I hope if need be someone does that for my doggies who I love so much. I know you do to Prinnie. I’m so thankful for my internet friends… I’m closer to them than the friends I used to have in real life.
I have emails and messages from her that I will hang onto as a constant reminder of her kindness and wit.
I have voicemail that I will never get rid of either from family members I will cherish forever….
Sorry for your loss. Yes the internet has made it easier for us to become with so many people that we never knew before. It is really strange how people who have similar problems in life and health seem to end up in the same groups. I also used to have a pen pal when I was younger. We actually made it until the age of 18. I also have to thank the internet for bringing me and my best friend from school years back together again after 20 years of not hearing from each other.
What a wonderful tribute to her Prin. She was a wonderful person and cared so deeply for her online friends. I actually want to thank you for being the reason I met her. Had you not opened your blog or created a forum 4 years ago, I would of never met her. RIP dear friend, you will be missed.
Thanks PQ. I believe in fate. There was a reason that we were all brought together.
never forget to tell the people closest to ur heart how much they mean to you every single day before its too late for them to hear it,feel it and see it! Never let them wonder,the wonder is in letting them know…..
Prinnie, much love & peace to you!