How much do your online friends mean to you?
By misheleen73
@misheleen73 (6037)
United States
September 4, 2007 1:42am CST
This discussion is prompted by tragic news regarding an online friend of mine and many others. I don't want to get into all the details, as that is not what this is about now. It just jolted me into thinking how much a lot of my online friends have really impacted and affected my life. I miss them when they are not around, I look forward to exchanging emails, posts, etc with them. I enjoy the "online" time I share with them. I know many people have said that this is just the internet, and nothing is taken seriously, but I think with some people we grow close. I feel like I know some of you personally from our interactions. I feel worried when I hear bad news about friends health, I feel saddened when I hear a friend is going through a rough time. I get happy when I hear of your accomplishments. And I cry when a friend passes away. What I am trying to say, is that in one way or another you all have touched my life, and I want to thank you. Thank you for listeneing to my rants, for offering encouragement, for being on my side. Thank you all for being here, in emails, in other forums. Those of you I have interacted with, have become close to, you are my friends. You are in my heart, my thoughts, and my prayers. You are just as real to me as my "real world" friends. So I wanted to take this minute to thank you all. And ask, what do your online friends mean to you??
7 people like this
17 responses
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 Sep 07
When I first signed on to the net, years ago, I joined a site and made several new friends. We became close and spoke of always being friends no matter what. The group belonged to began to fight and we became divided and eventually all went out separate ways. Several friends dumped me when things became nasty and others just failed to stay in touch.
So now, I take friendships with a grain of salt so that when folk disappear, I don't get upset or diappointed.
I've made many friends here on Mylot but many have disappeared and even though I keep in touch by sending the occasional "send it on " wemail, I have no personal contact with them.
For me, on-line friendships fade. I often wonder if it's something about me because I don't have many friends in the real world either.
I find that when things go wrong or I am very sad there is really no one to turn to. Life can be a lonely sad place sometimes.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Sorry to hear that MsTickle, by the way I sent you a friend request on the "other" site..lol. I do not have a lot of friends in the real world either. I am truly picky about whom I call a friend. Life can be lonely and sad. And while I have friends here, I do not always share my personal problems either. I tend to be more of a listener... but regardless there are people I am truly concerned for, and only wish the best for. I think friends are friends regardless of where you meet them ,it's just knowing whom you are calling a friend. People can drop you or backstab you in person just as easily as online.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
4 Sep 07
This incident sounds just like a group
of friends in the real world doesn't it?
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes, my on-line friends have an impact on me as well...and I sometimes feel more involved and closer to them than the people I know in the "real" world, that is the people I associate in person in my life. Yes, I feel saddened when I hear of a member of any on-line community I belong to has passed away, and I feel the pain of people who are going through rough times, whether physically or emotionally...it's like I just wish I could reach into this computer of mine and reach out and give a warm hug to the person to let them know I care for them.
2 people like this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I know what you mean. There has been times I wanted to go through the computer screen and smack an abusive husband or two. Hug a friend in pain. I know there are frauds out there that don't always tell the truth online, but I for one think sometimes you can actually be closer and know more about someone because of the whole "anonymity" of it all.
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
4 Sep 07
Well, I would not say that I would give my right arm for them. That would be falsifying. No, but yes they are precious and invaluable in their own way. I miss them if I am offline for long and I enjoy the debates, discussions, information and advices they give me. They have also widened my perspective to many things in life of which I was not aware of before and I can share my innermost thoughts with them. They are indeed a boon of the internet.
2 people like this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Well thank you for being honest. I too have learned a lot from my online friends.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Glad to see you share the same sentiment as I do. And I too hope all my friends and yours are doing well.
@LishaB (33)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I joined a message board when i found out i was pregnant with my daughter. we went through pregnancy, childbirth, the 1st year, and some are now sharing 2nd pregnancies(with us). We all know eachother so well it seems, we pray for their families and friends, we share personal stories or problems. We're always there for eachother. I think it is awesome. I have not met any in person, but i know quite a few of the ladies have and have definatly made life long friends on the board. It's nice to know that if i ever have something i need to vent about or cry about these ladies are always there to listen and offer hugs or prayers or advice, and i am forever grateful to them for the things they have taught me and continue to teach me everyday.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
That is very nice that you have found a place where you feel "welcomed" and such friendships have formed. I truly believe that online friendships can be just as real as any other kind of friendship !!
1 person likes this
@ravenlynne (2)
• Italy
4 Sep 07
I definitely think that my online friends are valued friends. I've learned much, shared, cared, cried. Basically run the gamut of emotions.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Welcome to Mylot !! Friends are indeed very valuable !!
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Sep 07
Many of us feel the same way. There are times when my friends on MyLot are the only people that I can turn to for help, sympathy, well wishes, and encouragement. Big huggers to you.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
5 Sep 07
And big huggers to you too...lol. I have had some times when I wanted to fly to people's houses just to help them out of bad situations. It is horrible when you feel helpless to do anything to help.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
5 Sep 07
Sweetie you have covered it as this is what my Friends mean to me to
It isn't just the Internet and I have found a lot of good Friends on here and if I am really honest they are better Friends then my ofline Friends
To me these Friends are so special and I would do anything for them to help where I can
Hugs to you
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
5 Sep 07
Hugs to you too Gabs !! I feel the same. Sometimes i think you can be more open and honest online than in "real" life. You can know alot more about a person if you truly pay attention.
@subha12 (18441)
• India
5 Sep 07
it depends what is the nature of my online friend.
If I find him/her somethjiong same as me, shares my idea and all, then they really meet a lot to me.
But sometimes I have seen that few people make friends with you online then they starts to disturb you a lot.
I will definitely avoid them.
1 person likes this
@faylinn_chaeli (1619)
• Philippines
5 Sep 07
I value my friends offline or online, what's more important to me is to make them happy all the time and to help them in any way that I can.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
5 Sep 07
That is a nice way to look at it, keep it up !! I am sure all your friends are very happy with you.
1 person likes this
@sreevasu (2717)
• India
4 Sep 07
Online means 'on' 'line', in its every sense. The line is the line of my lifeline. Here the word 'virtual' need to be more descriptive. I admit fakes though.
It all depends on how much one involve. After all life is just a game of human mind, and Mind is important.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes, it all depends on your involvement. I know there have been people that are "fake" or untrue, but those people crop up in our everyday lives all the time. We just have to be careful to whom we hand our heart.
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I enjoy the friendship of a few close internet friends from around the world. They do mean a lot to me. I miss them when they go on vacation. I have been known to hunt them down when they are overdue. I just want to know in my heart that they are safe. I am concerned when things are not going well for them and I am overjoyed when things are going really good for them. There are others that I touch base with but I can not say the relationship with them is as close.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I am extremely empathetic with peoples stories. I never would have thought that on'line and with strangers no less...i could possibly feel anything but i do. you do get to know certain people online. yes, some really grab me...who would of guessed.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I know the feeling. I never thought I would ever get upset over an online friendship, but I do and did. I truly have devloped bonds with some people online, and I feel fine with myself in calling them friends !!
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
5 Sep 07
I am glad to hear that you have people you can turn to when you need a friendly ear !!!
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Yes, I agree with you because sometimes is easier to explain what is going on e-mails than in person. I also feel close to you and to others here in my lot
because all of you appear to be caring and wonderful people. To me this is what you considered a friend ,and is wonderful to be able to share experiences and opinions.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Exactly, sometimes I find it so much easier to type something than to speak it. I am much more literate writing..lol. I feel close to people online via many forums and Mylot as well. I have met you and some other very wonderful people that i always look forward to hearing from.
@sandwedge (1339)
• Malaysia
4 Sep 07
this is a rather online-nish question that deserves a online-er answer. the answer will be "are there online or offline right now"....hmmmmm..
@g3raldin3 (169)
• Philippines
4 Sep 07
as i am reading this discussion, i suddenly missed my online friends. my online friends mean a lot to me. 9 years ago, i met a friend online and we became very close through online chatting and exchanging emails. for 9 years, we only met twice. there are times that we dont swap emails and chat as we are so busy with our lives right now, but everytime we are both online, it's just like the old times. she's just like my "diary" and me to her as well. we laughed, giggled, cried together online. i missed you, sis. i hope to see you pretty soon.
and oh yeah, i got another online friend for 2 years now. no matter how busy we are, I am still always here for you. take care, friend.
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Welcome to Mylot.. it's nice to see you have made such good friendships...
