I know some people(my ex) think it's strange that one can develop friendships through the internet. It is more common these days, but when I first started blogging it was still looked upon with suspicion. I have made some good friends through this medium of communication. I've only met a couple of them in "real life" but I think when all you've got to go on is some one's words, sometimes you get to the meat of a situation, or, more importantly, the heart of the person, more quickly than you ever get to know someone whose facade you have yet to break through when you meet them face to face.
One such friend was the person I first knew by the name Barngoddess. Lori lived in rural Oklahoma with her husband, two sons and a myriad of animals including her aged, beloved horse named Scooter. She was one smart cookie. We didn't have a friendship which required constant communication, but I knew if I wrote her an email or a comment on her blog I was going to get a nearly immediate reply, and we'd been planning and waiting for an opportune time for her to visit here. We were going to sit on the patio and drink margaritas and vegetate.
I hadn't written or heard from her in a while so I went to her blog last night to check in. Her last post was dated May 22. I clicked on the comments under that post to find that her sister had been there to let us know she'd passed away unexpectedly on July 18. Scooter had to be put down shortly after her death. It's an odd comfort to know he's with her because she loved that horse so much. I'm going to miss her. She was a beautiful person inside and out. My heart goes out to her husband and boys in their loss.
Rest in peace, Lori. I cherish our friendship.
13 comments:
Wow. That's terrible. I'm sorry you had to find out that way.
Sometimes I hate the internet.
I know, huh?
But I am positive her family knew little or nothing about her internet friendships and it was nice of her sister to let us know the only way she knew how, through Lori's blog.
Oh that is so sad, YM. I am having a problem with a blog friend now, I hope it does not end the same way. My condolences to the family and find joy in that she shared a part of her with you.
Gia
You haven't heard from him/her yet, Gia? I hope it doesn't end the same way too.
Yes, I am glad I knew her. She was one of a kind.
Oh, that's SO SAD! I"m sorry about your friend, YM. Truly....
And I agree with you regarding internet friendships 100%. =)
Thank you, Obi. It's been a real shock for all her online friends, especialy since she was so young and had such a vibrant outlook, but I feel sorriest for her two boys and husband.
You didn't even get started good with the friendship. That sucks so much and my heart goes out to you for your loss my friend!
Mango
To Your Majesty...
You are absolutely correct in stating that deep abiding friendships can be formed via the Interweb. I view today's e-mail/blogger friends in the same light as pen-pals of past generations.
I am sincerely sorry for your loss of such a wonderful friend.
Thanks Mango, I'd known her for 6 or 7 years.
Mzchief, I've never thought about it being like penpals, but that's so true.
Internet friendships are just as important to me as those that I see and talk to everyday. On some days yall are the only ones that I talk to.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Are you better???
Obi, it's an odd situation to lose a friend and not hear about it until nearly 2 months after the fact, but the shock is wearing off. I hope her family is coping.
I know, YM. =( I once asked about some old high school friends in visiting a childhood neighbor and she shared that an old boyfriend had died in a motorcycle accident on his way to college. I'm still shocked when I think about it....to just no longer be on this earth. Sad.
Hang in there and have a lovely weekend!
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