I have heard many people say that online friends aren’t real. Some have even gone so far as to say,
"Susan, you need to get a life and get off the computer."
Maybe some people believe this statement to be true, but not me!
I’ve witnessed firsthand the outpouring of love by musicians worldwide when my sister passed away. Even today, 3 years later, her internet friends are remembering Mary with love and kindness.
She was a musician and truly left her mark on the hearts of many.
Many a day I receive email from some of her online friends – people I have never met. They share memories and keep my sister’s spirit alive – an act of kindness that I find so comforting. I’m deeply touched by the tributes paid to my sister and want the world to know that you have helped me and mine get through a very difficult time in all that you have said and done. You really made a difference!
One of Mary’s friends wrote and posted the following -
“The untimely and tragic death of one of MP3 Unsigned's most loved artists, Canadian singer/songwriter Mary Gottschalk has cast a pall of sadness over that site that is almost palpable. To those people who say that online life is not ‘real’ or ‘relevant’ I can only shake my head in wonder. Friends are friends, online or off it. In my books, Mary Gottschalk was my friend and I am overwhelmed by the impact her death has had on me and the many others her life has touched in that special way she had… Even now - as I write these words ... I still have tears rolling down my cheeks and I don’t care because she touched me deeply and I’m not afraid to say that I loved her and will miss her terribly.”
The following video, more so the song - is something I hold dear. My sister was writing the music before she passed away but didn't have the opportunity to write the lyrics. Two of her online friends wrote the lyrics after her death and dedicated it to her.
Remembering my little sister, Mary
Online friends are just as real as real life friends - sometimes more.
To all my friends here - I'm so glad that our keyboards have touched.
Love and hugssss
Susan (a real person) xo
Susan, I totally agree with you. I find online friends can bring more comfort than I can imagine. I think I even wrote a post thanking my fellow bloggers in the past :)
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of friends, online and real friends. Sometimes I can't help but compare them or find a friend of mine who is similar to one of my online friends, can you relate to that? I mean there are some online friends who I find in the person of my friends in the real world! There are times when I feel low and none of my real friends are around to comfort me and hug me, I seek the comfort of my online friends and I can't believe sometimes that they can make me laugh or smile, and they also know if I am not in the mood or so talkative, even if they dont see me!
Can you be my online friend?
AL
What a beautiful tribute to your sister.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you about on line friends. Blogging friends are certainly REAL friends.
I am so sorry to learn of your sister's passing. It is always difficult when someone leaves us behind way too soon. Without knowing the details, the love she caused to be spread in the world is evident in the quote you shared here, and your love for her. I am assuming that beautiful woman in the picture is Mary?
ReplyDeleteActually online friends can be very real and they are even know you better than the people around you.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very moving tribute to your sister, I am sorry to hear of her passing.
ReplyDeleteI think online friends are every bit as real as the ones who live down the street. I assure you I am not a figment of your imagination, I am quite real! Unless there is a law somewhere that says we have to meet face to face with someone before we can call them a friend I will continue to count my online friends right along with the "real" ones.
I have found that the people who insist we get a life and have real friends have little interest in technology or other cultures or pretty much anything outside their tiny circle. I just cannot imagine living in such a small world.