But as I pondered the loss I became aware of something. I have never met Gideon in person. This connection of ideas, and words, and a willingness to dialog about it was entirely virtual. Our book club exchanges were all video based. And our chats were all textual. That’s it. Gideon was the textbook definition of a virtual friend. But I felt his loss as though he were someone I had met. I felt the loss the same as those who I have lost in my life. The image of God, reflected in Gideon, was now gone.
And that's the truth. I still miss the image of God reflected in Roseann.
From Jonathan Brink at Missio Dei.
Thanks to Ann for the link.
It's true, we form these connections, and they're deep. I find I now watch the weather report for Louisiana to see how you're doing, and I watch New York and even northern England to keep tabs on Doug and Jonathan. It's just nice to know there are these connections with good folk around the world. What I find odd is we have these connections, but sometimes people in our own dioceses don't read our blogs; I guess they just assume they'll see us at church.
ReplyDeleteI miss her in the same way.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways the intertubes' friendships are a little like the friendships that were formed with written letters in days gone by -- some of them deeply spiritual (I think of Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal, for instance). Such "virtual friendships" are also "real" -- after all, even when we see each other face to face there is still a level of the unknown in another's mind and heart. For some, pouring out their feelings via an email may be easier than face to face.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, let us give thanks for friendship, however communicated, however mourned when lost...
Rick, you watch my weather? How lovely. For many years, I had aunts and uncles and a cousin living in Reno, but they've all passed on. One day I'll tell you the story of how they came to move from New Orleans to Reno - a skeleton-in-the-closet type of story, one might say.
ReplyDeleteA small number of folks in my immediate territory read my blog, but I find myself writing for them more so than anyone else. What I post may seem like repetition of what a good many other bloggers have already said, but the local people very likely don't read the other blogs. Insofar as I have a target audience, I write for those nearby.
DP and Tobias, I'm pleased that we have been privileged to meet face to face on more than one occasion.
As you say, Tobias, through letters, deep connections between folks who never met face to face began long before the invention of the internet. Let us, indeed, be thankful for all friendships.
My virtual friendships are becoming a very important part of my life. It's wonderful to meet people from around the world, as well as here in North America. Like Rick, I find myself watching the weather in places I know people. Mimi, perhaps on my way home from California I will decide to do I-10 and make a detour to see you.
ReplyDeleteAmelia, that would be great! We have lots of room - the empty nest, you know. We are not far from I-10.
ReplyDeleteIts funny, I had never thought of you as a virtual friend, just a friend I talk to occasionally. I think of you with Louisiana is mentioned. Maybe it is because we moved so often when I was growing up and most of my friends were far away. Anyway, the "virtual" friends have added a richer dimension to my life. I am grateful.
ReplyDeleteFor years I´ve found online friendships to be inspiring and loving (mostly)...I´ve lived in Latin America for a couple of decades (mostly)...when I connected at Stop the World I felt so RELIEVED to be able to say everything that was on my mind in ENGLISH! Bravo, English and then Jake/Terry was such a good spiritual leader he was easy for me to understand (even before he was a spiritual leader) and then later there was Padre Mickey who popped right up (almost under my own volcano) and he has become another strong influence for me...both these men are strong solid influences...both have helped me greatly with their person viewpoints and everyday blogging life...it´s such a sound and safe place for me to come a explore the depth of my REAL character and to keep abreast of how people in the world, millions of people, are getting along (or not). In my working years I had jobs that required that I travel internationally a lot...I mean months and months out of every year...it´s so easy for me to read about YOU and OTHERS in from afar and visualize exactly where everyone is...it´s a nice added dimension to know not only the background scenery of many of the voices on line but to hear their accents in words written...yes, just like face-to-face (mostly) and I´ve found that when I meet up with people ¨in person¨ that I´ve known for years online, well, they are almost always exactly as I thought them to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice end of the year roundup of feelings about those we love online...Mimi´s Greeting at Christmas and what I think of is the Latin Quarter and Bourbon Street (and the best Oysters in the World).
Elizabeth, I was in awe of you and Tobias until I met you face to face. I thought I would be struck dumb in your presences. And although you are both awesome, when I met you, I was not struck dumb, I and liked you both immediately. Why you're both just folks!
ReplyDeleteLeo, I'd love to meet you. Are you as effervescent in real life as you are in Blogland? You have the advantage over many of us since you have traveled so widely and can picture our places.
The architecture in the French Quarter is more Spanish than French. Jackson Square was once named the Plaza d'Armas.
I find I totally agree with Motheramelia. I have some friends here on the net that I value so very much. I am using a site called Weather Underground to check on how everyone is doing weather-wise! I just save my favorite spots (where friends are of course!) and VOILA! I can with a click of the mouse see how the weather is treatin' them!
ReplyDeleteIts been snowing really badly here and it took us by surprise as usual.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know that people care.
yes, it's true.
ReplyDeleteCiss, Weather Underground is my weather site, too. They're quite good about hurricane information.
ReplyDeleteDP, you'll have white Christmas! Although snow can be a pain. On the rare occasions when it snows here, a little goes a long way.
Diane, keep warm in chilly Minnesota.
I would love to hear that skeleton-in-the-closet story about how some of your family ended up in Reno, Grandmère. Perhaps this could be an entire blog entry?
ReplyDeleteI check on people's weather too.
ReplyDeleteI second everything everyone else has said.
Merry Christmas, Mimi. I love you.
Lindy
Rick, you'll hear my story one day. In fact, I may have already written about it. I'll check. I don't want to repeat myself too much.
ReplyDeleteLindy a Blessed and Merry Christmas to you. I love you back.
What will your Christmas in China be like? Just another work day?
I have a buddy who has to give a final on Christmas morning. So, it's pretty much just another day here. The English teachers are the little darlings, though, and we got an extra day off this week. I am taking it easy today, going to Shanghai tomorrow for a quick overnight. Then I have to work four full days next week. It's the only full week I have between now and the winter break. All in all, not too bad.
ReplyDelete