Internet Friends
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
May 4, 2007 7:52pm CST
Several years ago we met a man who lives in Rochester, NY. We met him on PalTalk. He loved playing the keyboard and singing. It delighted me so to hear him put so much joy into his singing. He was about 72 when we met him. We became good friends through our conversations on PalTalk, MSN Messenger and by our phone calls.
Last September, we met Koos and his wife Truus. They invited us to have a meal with them. We brought our friends who were visiting us from the Netherlands. Now as Koos and Truus are both Dutch too, the conversation was lively and in Dutch too. I speak very little Dutch, so Koos or Truus, being the perfect hosts, would translate for me.
Recently, we found that Koos has cancer. He sent us the information via email. The picture he sent us made him look upbeat and optomistic, but his words told a different story.
Today we found that Koos is now at home rather than a hospital. He is a Hospice patient. Their children are now close by for them. Truus is trying to be strong. I know that she will try to be this way until the end.
Some people say that it is impossible to find true friends on the internet. I say they are wrong. Friends are found everywhere. I am happy to have found so many that I can say are my friends. Koos and Truus are one of those friends.
So many of you are the same.
10 people like this
11 responses
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
5 May 07
Hi Elusive, I am sorry I have never heard of PalTalk it must of been a long time ago was it?? Oh I know of MSN Messenger, that was lovely that they translated for you due to not understanding the language. Oh no over the years I have been using the internet I found some wonderful true friends. Thank you and I believe you are also a very good friend to have as well. xx
2 people like this
@rsmith512 (1561)
• United States
5 May 07
I have never heard of PalTalk either, but I am guess it is kinda like a Pen pal place where you can meet new people, and talk with them. Making new friends can be fun!! :)
That was very nice that they translated for you...they could have just left you hanging and going, Huh? LOL
You are a good friend and I am glad that I have been able to meet you here on myLot! :D
1 person likes this
@castleghost (1304)
• United States
5 May 07
I want to tell you I am sorry to hear that your friend Koos is sick with cancer. I am with you about making friends on the internet. While I haven't meet too many people off of the internet I do so happen to find my girlfriend. We have been together six years now and plan to marry at the end of the summer. You can find true friendships on the internet if you are willing to make an effort.
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
7 May 07
Butterfly,
Friends are all around us, and not all are elusive! I just answered a discussion Lecanis posted and stated that I have no friends; and basically I don't. I have family that comes to the house, other than that no one knocks on our door.
My email inbox is full most every day.
My MyLot friends are here every day.
My friends from other sites are there every day.
When friends from sites that I visit on a regular basis don't post for awhile I will make it a point to search for their email address to try to find out if they are well. I will also try to find a real address and perhaps send a card to let them know that I am thinking of them. I also receive mail in my letter box outside on my porch from these friends.
It is not necessary to see the person to know and love the person. There may be those of us who are naive and believe that everything that someone tells us is the truth; but that's okay. If I find out tomorrow that you are a 45 year old professor doing a research project on how many internet people you can draw into a conversation with you, I am still going to believe that at least part of you was real. (Did that make sense?)
I send most warm blessings and wishes to your friends, pray for a peaceful transition for Koos, and for healing acceptance for the family.~Donna
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 May 07
Friends come from the least expected places. Thank you for being mine.
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
5 May 07
I am sorry to hear about the hardships your friends are enduring but it is such a nice story to hear that you were able to find someone through the internet that chances are you never would have met without the help of the internet .
I do believe that we can find friends anywhere if we are willing to be open and honest with each other . You never know what you could be missing when you are not willing to open up to someone else and I think it was so nice that you were open to be able to recieve this wonderful experience that so many people will never have the experience of having because they are too afraid to open up or be honest .
1 person likes this
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
5 May 07
I have made several good friends over the internet through the years. I even met the man I plan to marry over the internet. If you are willing to take the time to get to know someone over the internet you could find a lot of good friends.
I am glad that you got to have a great relationship with Koos and Truus. I am sorry that Koos has cancer it is a terrible disease. I lost an older sister a fe years ago from ovarian cancer. God Bless.
1 person likes this
@dawnrm69 (1174)
• United States
7 May 07
I am glad that you found such good friends. YOu are right if you look hard you can find good friends even on the internet I think sometimes they are the best. I know alot dont think it is possible to find anyone good over the internet but that is How I met my fiance. It was a miracle for we met in a strange way but god works in mysterios ways and I am glad!
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
5 May 07
Elusive first of all I am so sorry to hear about your Friend I really am
I totally agree with you I have made some good Friends here on the Internet I have met 2 of them so far and I am hoping to meeting another 3 at some time this year when I make my way and if I can make my Way up to Scotland
Also one of my very good Friends that I have known 2 years now is moving to New Zealand and plans on stopping with me for a few Days so I am hoping this will work out soon to as she is like a big Sister to me
So yes I have made a lot of good Friends on the Internet and I love them all
My Thoughts are with your Friend Elusive and his Family
Hugs to you
1 person likes this
@rsmith512 (1561)
• United States
5 May 07
Awww...that is a sad, but happy story! And, it is a story that is true!! :)
It is sad because of the stressful, recent information about Koos having cancer. I am sure that this is a soft subject especially because it is your friend, and I am really sorry for them and wish for the best! :D
At the same time it is happy, because you were able to meet a friend on the Internet, and learn to know them better. And, you were able to visit them!!
I agree that friends can be found everywhere!
Koos and Truus I bet are very great friends that will be in your heart forever! :)
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
5 May 07
Well prayers for Koos going out tonight. I have met a lot of people through the internet face to face. I've only had 1 bad experience. All others have been great meetings etc. There are about 6 or 7 from around the states that I still keep in touch with. There are also 2 that I still see when I have the chance. One in Wiscosin and another in Iowa. Theres a lot of great people here. Just need to go out of your way sometimes to get to really know them through the internet then meet face to face. Glad to hear this wonderful yet sad tale.
HAPPY POSTINGS & PRAYERS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@ItTakesAllSorts (4096)
•
5 May 07
What a moving story. It is so nice to hear stories like this.
I have always been a bit dubious about going on chatlines as the publicity for them is usually negative.
Mylot is the first one I have signed up to and I really do enjoy chatting to people here.
I have read many discussions where people have met up and formed really close friendships from sites like this. It is such a good way to meet different people we would not normally meet in our everyday lifes.
My friend met her husband online 2 years ago.
I hope your friends time left on this earth is peaceful and painfree. My father-in-law was a hospice patient and the nurses and care they provide is outstanding.
My thoughts are with you all, and as a good friend you will be there to support Truus, who will need true friends now.
Thanks for this dicussion. It really puts my faith back in humanity, when so much sadness is around us. +
1 person likes this
@andysminky (330)
• India
5 May 07
Making friends online needs loads of patience .. to talk non verbally and understand each others way of thinking ... it could need a lot of time .. and to keep in touch needs time too .. so i must say u re truly lucky to have found such good friends online .. i realised people hardly have time for their social friends .. then internet friends are far from reach .. wish ur friend a speedy recovery .. i shall pray for him .. good luck !
1 person likes this
