Down Memory Lane of Online Friendships
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26228)
Singapore
September 21, 2016 9:54am CST
Reminiscing is a habit with me and they just latch on imploring me to share them.
I do not like to dwell in the past but some are etched in my memory and I want to go back to soothing times.
One that I want to share is from a dear fellow contributor Diane Z Ciatto, who had posted two poems dedicated to me years ago; one I share now.
I did try to contact Diane but she has not responded, so hopefully she won’t mind my sharing this poem that is so precious to me. It was posted on Associated Content in January, 2011 and, sadly, all our works are history now with Yahoo Voices deleting them.
Thanks to Siva
I’m writing this poem
To thank you for encouragement
Like the comforts of home!
Poetry has a way
Of speaking with your heart
A glimpse into one’s soul
Gives emotions a jump start!
So to you my dear brother
Born far away of another mother
By writing we are forever entwined
In mutual admiration and love for one another!!!
By Diane Z. Ciatto
Do you also have memories that replay especially in lonely times?
Image: Memories from Wikimedia Images
20 people like this
20 responses
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Sep 16
I have made some wonderful online friends and some of them have become friends in person!! Its the best.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
22 Sep 16
Thanks Jabo.
After YCN closed down I could not reconnect with contributors there.
Few are here though.
You did tell me that you would love to read the poem and I kept that at the back of my mind to make the attempt. This I found at another site.
Diane had posted another poem also dedicated to me - siva
4 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
21 Sep 16
Thats a good poem. Are you still in touch?
I have lots of memories inside me.
4 people like this
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
21 Sep 16
I was not active at Yahoo Contributor Network in later years as I was not eligible for payment being not US based.
I started with Associated Content which was bought over by Yahoo in 2001 and was active for three years.
Once I stopped being active there, I lost regular touch with fellow contributors.
I give below a link to my post about the closing down of YCN - siva
The email that Yahoo Contributor Network was shutting down came like a bolt from the blue even for the likes of me who were not active. Then what about those who had put in their heart and soul into their posts and built up the community over the years?
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
22 Sep 16
@innertalks It is all gone. Quite sad.
I had to check the net and Diane had posted this at another site thankfully - siva
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
1 Oct 16
I reminise a lot - more as I age as there is more to reminise about - this is a lovely tribute to you
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
1 Oct 16
@Shiva49 yes, that may be why old age is often seen as a second childhood
2 people like this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
24 Sep 16
While writing for AC, then Yahoo Voices, some of us were also on Examiner. Many became friends online and we stay in contact even though every place for over the years seems to be closed now.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
24 Sep 16
I am always thrilled when I see the few from other sites.
In fact, I invite close contacts but leave the choice to them.
The sites are quite different too and some do not feel at home.
Mostly, I made online friendships but I recall the many oftentimes for their support at varying times - siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
22 Sep 16
Yes Erly, these make our day.
I could never forget such words of friendship and kind thoughts so generously expressed.
We shared many comments to encourage each other like we do here.
They mean a lot to me and the time spent is then so fulfilling - siva
2 people like this
@innertalks (21081)
• Australia
22 Sep 16
I personally mostly hate remembering the past.
This is because it pains me rather than encourages me, it never seems to help me, in any real way.
I have thought often about why I am like this, as many people have very fond memories of their own pasts.
The past is already completed of course, and when we reopen it, we take some of our present time energy, and we place it there.
This can be either good or bad of course, depending on how much of our real-time energy we are using now in the present. (i.e. how much fully alive we are right now, as we are living our present time life right now.)
Unfortunately, if most of our energy is attached to the pain of our past memories, when we place even more energy there, it often then depletes us even more in present time, but if we could just let go of these painful memories, completely deflating them of their negative energy, the positiveness of them might then begin to shine through for us.(This is because every past memory has some good and bad energy in it. This is the nature of the dual world that we all live in, I think).
If we can do this, we might then be able to remember these past memories in a way that might boost us up, rather than pull us down.
I am glad, you can gain so much from your own reminiscing, siva. That was a very nice tribute poem she wrote for you.
@innertalks (21081)
• Australia
22 Sep 16
@Shiva49 Thanks siva, I like what you said about seeing the kindness in a situation by having gratitude for it, for it even occurring.
The pressingness of any situation can not be hurried along by itself, or even by memories of itself, though, as all experiences must fit into this thing that we call life perfectly, which they always will do of course, unless we alter them in some way, by adding additions to them, be they positive bumps, or negative lumps.
I think that we must simply learn to accept things as they are, and we learn from them the most by leaving them exactly as they are.
We are not what we have, good memories or bad, but they can add more of who we are to us, of course. That's the paradox of life. It opens us up to ourselves.
We are who we are, or I am who I am, said both God, and popeye...LOL...
(I Yam What I Yam & Dats What I Yam! ... I Yam Popeye, the Sailorman) (God replied to Moses, "I Am Who I Am." Exodus chapter 3, verse 14)
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
22 Sep 16
@innertalks All our experiences make us who we are but the basic goodness in us should shine brighter when darkness threaten to overpower us.
I feel they do on a daily basis as we see heroes rising from the common folks as the situation demands.
I savor each moment and even those that hit me below the belt teach me lessons how not to be like them!
Though YCN is history, there were moments that left deep impressions and also the friendships that live on. You know well Steve I had built a good circle at Wikinut too but then again the wind was taken out of our sails to press on with vigor.
I feel lucky to share my space on online sites where we find the many good souls who are just like us - to leave some cheer behind that life is always worth living.
When hope is extinguished life becomes a torture and online companionship is a real morale booster - siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
22 Sep 16
I understand Steve.
I recall such sweet memories to show my gratitude for their kindness and generosity.
I do not like to remember those that hurt me and as and when they make their presence felt I brush them away so that they do not linger. But I remember them as they give life lessons - how not to hurt another!
I recall your words earlier that you do not like to remember the past as some would have left a scar tough to heal.
I know about negative energy impact but I do not allow them to affect me or rather I just try to squeeze some goodness from them too and then discard the rest!
I feel these acts of kindness and compassion should be kept close at heart for us to get solace during trying times. People like Diane reaffirm that humanity will triumph - siva
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
21 Sep 16
What a beautiful poem. I have many wonderful memories. During my lonely times I like to think back to my childhood days with my mom and dad. I miss them so much now that they are gone but I have many, many wonderful memories of the years we had together.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
21 Sep 16
The beauty with memories is we can live in them again anytime.
I remember and recall some kind souls to such an extent they live on though they are gone from the face of this earth but still alive within me.
Some enriched my life with deeds that left an indelible impression - siva
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45576)
• India
4 Nov 16
Wow! wonderful poetry and some things are there to be cherished forever.
@Shiva49 (26228)
• Singapore
2 Oct 16
My online writing memories are made of these!
I have received some touching comments and encouragement over the years which I can never forget
Like I use to reiterate often, we are from the same source, similar in feelings, hopes and aspirations.
Thanks to our Creator we have so much variety to keep us enthralled all our lives - siva
2 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
2 Oct 16
Good memories are always so special to recall..
1 person likes this
