The Internet personal? This sounds like a contradiction in terms but I know for a fact it is true. Somehow through the air or via unseen tubes our heartstrings connect with those of others and they start vibrating at the same frequency. I believe that somehow when we express our feelings and emotions in written words and they’re picked up by a person on the other side of the globe, our energies start to dance in tune with each other. The other person senses the emotional content of the message and reacts to it by expressing his own feelings about the event at hand. Then, when the first person reads that message again, the connection is complete. The two people feel ‘in tune’. The only condition is that they have shared earlier messages and have already consolidated their mutual bond.
Bullocks, you say? Sad, lonely people imagining illusory relations? Losers unable to connect with real people in real life? Naïve folk willing to be lured into false hope and false feelings?
No, a heartfelt no!
I am a sensitive person going through an intense and tough period in my life so automatically I radiate lots of emotions in my words. I share these emotions with Facebook friends in a closed group, where I feel it is safe to blurt out anything. As soon as I place a post in my group, people rush in to comment and support me, no matter what time of day or night as they come from all time zones and writers – yes they are all writers – tend to have different sleeping hours from normal folk.
I will no longer accept that people call Internet relationships shallow and unreal. If it weren’t for my group of virtual friends – none of whom I have met in real life – I wouldn’t know how to cope with this ordeal. Of course, I miss a real hug, a cup of tea made with love, kind eyes urging me to endure it a little while longer. Of course, they would be even dearer to me if they stood in front of me but for now I can tell you: they are as supportive as if they were real. And to be honest, they are more supportive than some ‘close friends’ I thought I could always count on.
Easy, you say. They can promise anything because they don’t have to follow up on it?
Maybe. But they do what they can and if some of them say they don’t sleep well because they worry about my situation or they summon other friends to pray for us too, I believe they’re pretty involved.
And I have no time nor interest in cynical folk talking down virtual relationships anymore. I know I am not mistaken. I can hear their hearts beat in tune with mine and I will be forever grateful to them because without them my life would be quite unbearable at the moment.
Those concerned know whom I’m talking about. This blog post is for you, gracefully written for all you’re doing for me every day. With your words!
Hannah,
I know exactly what you mean about virtual relationships! Ten years ago, I’d have been more of a doubter about their depth, but online socializing back then was nothing like it is today. I envy my virtual friends across the pond (or even across the country) because it’s more realistic for them to be able to meet up than it is out here in the sticks where everything is so spread out. But someday, perhaps, I’ll be able to travel and meet all those I call friends online. I hope things start looking up for you soon. Also? I love that owl picture.
Kay
Hannah, I know now that what you say is true. A while ago I might have doubted it. I pray for people I’ve actually met, and I pray for people I only know online. And I’ve seen my prayers for both answered. So what’s the difference? None!
The power of prayer is above the sort of face-to-face meetings people sometimes think are more ‘real’. Relationships online are just as real, and prayer is above all this sort of thing. The power of the Lord covers everything.
Lots of love, my dear friend.
AW SHUCKS! It’s so easy to care because your so sweet dear! I do wish we lived closer….it would be nice to chat and have tea.
Hello Dear Hannah, I have been away in Cornwall for the past 8 days, and am now trying to go through my emails. I’ve just read your blog on facebook ‘friends’ and agree with every word. I was thinking about you, Joy and your family during the week. Would you believe that I have 385 emails to go through, some of them from you: I will endeavour to go through them in the hope that you have better news…
Fondly,
Phyllis xx
Your lovely blog post prompted me to go back to my own blog and read the comments I got from friends (and some people at the time who were friends I hadn’t yet met even online) in the aftermath of the fire that changed the course of my life just over two years ago.
The wave of kindness, love and wisdom that flooded over me then was astonishing in its healing power.
I am certain that without that experience I would not today be as emotionally stable as I am. I was in those times precipitously close to an emotional breakdown. So much that at that time the comments helped but the full miraculousness of the people who reached out to cushion me as much as they could from the bruising my heart was taking was not properly appreciated. It worked though.
Two years on I still tear up reading them and still feel a warmth that is one of the realest things in my world. Many of those wonderful friends are still friends online and some of them I’ve met in person face to face. Every single one helped me in a personal way and your blog explains it very well:”our energies start to dance in tune with each other.”
And long may they keep dancing, yours and mine and all our gentle loving friends. Now that’s what I call harmony xxxxx
Beautiful Hannah. You say things as they are.
Oh, Hannah, if only we were all in visiting distance! Can you imagine how many people you’d have to deal with — in a good way???? All those empty pizza boxes … and beverage cans … and stories and hugs or just plain silence as we sat with you, lost in thought, hoping and praying for the best …
Beautifully thought-out and written as ever, Hannah. You’re much more than “just a good writer” – you actually have something worth saying… and SHOUTING about! Like Gerry, I’m praying for you (and other people, too). And, as Gev says, if we lived near each other, there would be a pizza box crisis!
Take care xxx
People still look askance when I talk about virtual friendships.
I think it’s a state of mind and not the general rule. You’re either open to it or you’re not.
I am Hoinnoih and I loved this post.
In 1997 my wife Shelia and I met through the internet. We crossed the Atlantic and battled the immigration systems of three countries to stay together. We know virtual friendships work but like all friendships there are good friends and those who fall by the wayside.
Hannah my love you know how I feel about all the trauma you’re going through. You and your daughter have been in my thoughts constantly. The power of prayer IS immense if you believe ….
Lots of love from me (just 40 minutes away in a plane) Crazy when you realise it takes at least three hours to get to the airport from here. If I could get there I would.
Take care of yourselves
Tee xxx
Brilliant. I loved this post. I really really like the illustration. just too sweet.