Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Reality Check

Hello .All this blogging malarkey can be fun, it can be a pain, it can be lots of things, but it's amazing how real it can be.People you'll never meet, people you don't really know, interact with you in a trivial way, then suddenly a large slap of real life hits you in the face and you are affected just as if blogpals were real friends.

Already two people that were on the periphery of my blogworld have died. I know others who have relatives that have passed away recently, or are seriously ill, and now I learn that Chris (Enchanted Oak) can't do the bus challenge for next week as her mother is dying.My God. To think she even had the inclination to let me know.The whole thing seems so trivial and silly by comparison.Jeanne has kindly offered to swap with Chris.

But anyways if you would like to think of Chris and her mother at this time and maybe say a prayer or light a candle or say a poem out loud in a field or sit under a tree and be silent or whatever it is that means something to you, that would be a good thing.You might even post a few words on her blog. HERE

23 comments:

Heather said...

Sad news Peadar - I have just left a little message for Chris and her mother.

Mojo said...

It's amazing a'right. I "know" people all over the world who are just as real to me as those across the hall. Some of them even more so. I've laughed with them, cried with them celebrated and mourned with them. A few I've even met, in the three-dimensional world.

But it's this kind of post, where all the boundaries are erased and there's only humanity in play, that makes me marvel. I hold this up as an example to those who say "it isn't real", these online relationships we have.

Thanks for keeping us informed TFE. I know Chris, but I don't keep up with her as closely as some. So I wouldn't have known otherwise.

magiceye said...

shall head across and hold good thoughts

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes Peader - you are right - our blog friends are in some ways on the periphery of our lives and yet in other ways they seem so close. Only a short time ago Dominic and I were saying how lovely it would be if we were both to turn up unannounced on your doorstep one day. I have met a few of my blog friends and I must say that our meeting has been so enjoyable and I feel I have known them for years.
My thoughts go out to Enchanted Oak - I am sure that all the messages she has received will help her a lot over the next few weeks.

Dr. Jeanne Iris said...

How thoughtful of you to post this, TFE. Surely, she'll be able to feel the love.

I'll post the new prompt before Friday.

Dominic Rivron said...

"People you'll never meet, people you don't really know..."

I think you do know people who you interact with regularly in the blogosphere. You don't see their non-verbal communication, but you do get to know them personally - sometimes more quickly in some respects than in real life.

An internet friend I had in the States many years ago died of cancer. For me, she just disappeared off the screen - it was a while before I accidentally discovered what had become of her. It's not just an internet phenomenon either: a radio ham I used to talk to regularly from the US died and I only found out a lot later. It's easy -and often wrong- to think that the "virtual" world is different to the real one. We don't think of things we say over the phone as existing on some different plane, but we tend to, usually wrongly, with the internet.

As for "people you'll never meet" I intend to go back to Ireland one day and I have a list of people whose doors I'm going to knock on if I possibly can when I do! :)

Niamh B said...

Thanks TFE, for tuning us in to that.

Karen said...

Poor Chris, and yet, if you've followed her long enough, you know "'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished," as her mother has herself longed for this release. My prayers are with Chris and her family.

Dave King said...

You're right, every now and then it hits home. Thanks for keeping us informed.

Doctor FTSE said...

Yes . . such an appropriate post. Such a lovely thought.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Thanks Heather.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Thanks Mojo, it does seem that there's no such thing as a 'virtual' friend, just friend.Period.Good words comrade.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Thank you magiceye (great name!)

Totalfeckineejit said...

For Gods sake don't turn up unannounced Weaver, you might find me sober, and that would be SO embarrassing!

Totalfeckineejit said...

Thanks Jeanne, I think you are right.In fact you are ALWAYS right! And thasnks for filling in too.You're a star!

Totalfeckineejit said...

You too are right Domino, what is the difference? And if you comesto Ireland be sure and bring mammy with youi!

Totalfeckineejit said...

No problem Captain Neevo!

Totalfeckineejit said...

Thanks Karen and I did catch up with Chris' posts last nite.Tough times for sure.

Totalfeckineejit said...

YesDave and thanks!

Totalfeckineejit said...

Thank you DR FTSE (another great name!)

Lydia said...

I have gained a son in the Philippines via blogging, and who would ever think that could happen? He visited us for a week in June and it was ...well, family.

I am sorry to read this news but thank you for writing about it in a soulful way. I'll go visit her.

Dr. Jeanne Iris said...

Hi TFE, Just to let you know that I've posted the new Poetry Bus Challenge on this blog:

http://www.revolutionaryrevelry.blogspot.com

I've provided three options and not a haiku in sight.
; )

Enchanted Oak said...

Thank you for this nice message on your blog. You're a good soul, Peadar.