Saturday, April 25, 2009

So long dear friend.....

I met her playing a word game. She said something in the chat section about hurting her knee and I offered her some advice along with worry that she hadn't seen a doctor. That started a nearly 7 year friendship....an internet friendship. I never met her personally but I have pictures and Christmas cards and if she didn't hear from me for a couple days, she would call me. We lived in the same state but over 300 miles apart. I kept planning on making the trip to see her.

We chatted online Wednesday for a long time...Thursday she wasn't online so I sent her an email. I came home from work on Friday to a message waiting for me on my answering machine. When I listened to the message I was in shock. It was her son....whom I had never talked to before. He was telling me that she had died in her sleep sometime during Thursday night into Friday morning. The whole family is numb....she leaves behind a husband, 3 children and 5 grandchildren.....and two very devoted dogs. She had not been ill, but had complained to me about not feeling too well the last few days. She had high blood pressure and had run out of her medication months ago. She put off getting to the doctor for a refill.

We chatted online nearly every single day for almost 7 years. She was a very dear and close friend. We confided in each other....we trusted one another and I will miss her more than I can ever say. Don't let anyone ever tell you that a friend you haven't met in person can't be a close one. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

17 comments:

Cheryl said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I'm sorry you never got to meet in person. Those who don't have Internet friends really don't understand the bond we share. I'm sure that you feel like a part of you is missing now. Talking to someone on a daily basis and having that suddenly gone? So sad.

Maria said...

Ah...I am SO sorry.

josie2shoes said...

I am so sad to read about this ending to a very dear friendship. You are so right that we become intensely close to the people we meet here. I think it is because we tend to migrate toward people who are more like us, who understand us and accept us as we are. Seven years is a very long time! I am certain that you were as much as blessing to your friend's life as she was to yours, and I just know she will continue to be around in spirit, caring about you. Hugs to you, this kind of loss just plain hurts!

Joy Des Jardins said...

Val...I'm so very sorry for the loss of your friend. What we share here in our little cyberspace world is hard to explain to those who don't share in it; but it is as devastating as losing a best friend you see in your life all the time. We share a lot of ourselves in our little community, and it hurts very much when we lose one of our own. I'm still feeling the effects of the passing of a couple of my blogging buddies this past year. I know you will miss your friend dearly and again, I am so sorry for your loss. My love to you.... ~Joy

Betty said...

I'm sorry for your loss. I have lost a couple of cyberfriends in the past, too, and still miss reading their blogs and the comments they left on mine.

Forsythia said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend.

When someone complains about not feeling well, it's a red flag and one that women usually ignore. One of my grandmothers died suddenly of a heart attack after several days of "not feeling well."

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

I'm so very sorry. You are in my thoughts..I couldn't agree with you more on having friends although never having met face to face..it's just the same type of love and trust and respect online as it is in face.

I'm sorry dear Val.
Love,
E

happyone said...

Oh I am so sorry - that is so sad.
I think we all know how close you can become to people online. I know I have some very dear friends online!

Jamie said...

I know how much this has to hurt you, I am so sorry. Love and hugs Charlotte. Jamie

boneman said...

Well, OK.
I'm sorry for your loss, of course.
But you do realize the predicament you have put us all in, right?

Now we have to get together, all your loyal fans, and make sure you at least squeak to one of us everyday.

Hey...
You brought it on yourself.

I picked Thursdays, by the way. See you then.

fiwa said...

Oh Val, I'm so sorry to hear that. Specially for her poor family and animals. Internet friends are just as precious and just as important as real-life friends. You have a special place in my heart.

love you,
fiwa

Debbie said...

Aww Val, I'm so sorry to hear this. I agree, the Internet relationships are very special and we tend to think of our computer friends in our day to day activities. Such an awful thing for her poor family. I will send out a prayer for them.

Anonymous said...

In many ways I think cyber friends are closer than real life friends. I know I share more with the friends I've made blogging than I ever would in a face to face encounter.

I'm truly sorry Val because I know the loss is very real. You made the last 7 years of your dear friend's life all the better for knowing you and I hope that brings you some comfort. Big hugs from your Aussie mate. xxxx

Brad said...

I want to take this opportunity to tell you how very important you are to me. We don't get to chat as often as we once did, or should, but your never far from my mind and I love you.

I'm sorry about your friend. I hope she didn't suffer any.

You have another angel looking out for you now.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry...good friends are hard to find.

Summer said...

I'm so sorry for your loss and for her family. On line friends are wonderful.

Jenny said...

I'm so very, very sorry. It's sad to realize we're at the age where we are losing friends. She was lucky to have you.