Sunday, July 8, 2007

Long Distance Relationships

As I may have stated before, other than the two women I work with, I have no close friends. Close as in physically close by, nor close as in best friends for life. I have however, met two very special people in my genealogy research that have become very dear to me. I've met several nice people, and some of them I wanted to maintain a relationship with, but for some reason or another, we lost touch, moved apart, or life got in our way. Not so with "Y" and "J" as I will refer to them for privacy's sake. I did meet Y once in person while I was doing my famous "cemetery hopping". (If you are confused, refer to my 8 Random Things post.) She and I have family resting in Crossroads Cemetery in Cleveland County, AR. I met "J" doing research as well, but have never set eyes on her. I've seen photos, but that just doesn't cut it. She took the job of maintaining the Cleveland County Rootsweb website when I had to take a break. A seven year break, and now I am again the coordinator. Anyway, these two are ALWAYS there for me. They may be quiet for a while, but if I am in pain, need to vent, or just need a friendly hello, they answer my email immediately. They have read message after message where I have poured my heart, anger, and fear out. I hope I have been there for them in the same way. The miracle of internet access is wondrous. I would feel even lonelier than I do, if I didn't have it. It's a necessity to me now, much like electric power, heat, phone..... I want to tell them how much they have meant to me. I thank both of them from the bottom of my heart. Y, I hope we can connect again soon. J, I really want to see you and hug you in person at least once.

4 comments:

Y said...

Wow! I'm nearly speechless (imagine THAT!). You're gonna have me boo-hooing. No thanks are necessary, but you're welcome. I should be thanking YOU. You've no idea what a blessing you have been to me. There have been times you were the only person I had to 'hang onto'. Husbands are great and all, but lack the estrogen to listen to and take in all that life dishes out at times. My sister is, a direct from God's hand, blessing to me, but she has had to endure some of lifes messiness right along with me and she's not terribly impartial ;)! My daughter, God love her, would walk thru fire for me, but I don't want to burden her with every little 'mess'. I'd like her to keep the rose colored glasses on as long as possible. Which brings me to YOU, Miss B. You wear more hats than you can imagine in this relationship! I really wouldn't begin to know where to start thanking you for being there for ME! I just thank God that you ARE!

LeLe said...

That's so sweet! I feel the same way about the internet. Les and Chelle are my dearest and longest friends and although we don't get to see each other often, we connect almost daily through blogs and email. It's wonderful...it doesn't compare to the real thing, but it'll do pig, it'll do.

Michelle said...

I completely understand where you are coming from, B Line! I keep in close touch with a college friend that I have not seen in nearly 8 years---all through email. We know exactly what goes on in each other's lives just by typing in weekly, and sometimes daily.

I have a quote to throw out that I think is very fitting for this post: "My friends have come to me unsought. The great God gave them to me." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sooz said...

Makes me miss my two best friends that are not close at all to where I live now and life makes the distance grow even more. *Sighs*