Internet Friends
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
May 4, 2007 7:52pm CST
Several years ago we met a man who lives in Rochester, NY. We met him on PalTalk. He loved playing the keyboard and singing. It delighted me so to hear him put so much joy into his singing. He was about 72 when we met him. We became good friends through our conversations on PalTalk, MSN Messenger and by our phone calls.
Last September, we met Koos and his wife Truus. They invited us to have a meal with them. We brought our friends who were visiting us from the Netherlands. Now as Koos and Truus are both Dutch too, the conversation was lively and in Dutch too. I speak very little Dutch, so Koos or Truus, being the perfect hosts, would translate for me.
Recently, we found that Koos has cancer. He sent us the information via email. The picture he sent us made him look upbeat and optomistic, but his words told a different story.
Today we found that Koos is now at home rather than a hospital. He is a Hospice patient. Their children are now close by for them. Truus is trying to be strong. I know that she will try to be this way until the end.
Some people say that it is impossible to find true friends on the internet. I say they are wrong. Friends are found everywhere. I am happy to have found so many that I can say are my friends. Koos and Truus are one of those friends.
So many of you are the same.
11 people like this
24 responses
@cjsmom (1423)
• United States
5 May 07
I am so sorry that your close friends are having to go through this. Cancer is such an awful disease. Perhaps they'll be able to get rid of it for him; that would be a blessing.
Dear, Heavenly Father...You know what these sweet, gentle souls are going through, and you are the ultimate healer. If it's Your Will, could you please help the doctors cure Koos and make him healthier than ever. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
4 people like this
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
5 May 07
I have found a couple of friends online also. One whos name is Jared and his girlfriend Jessica have invited me and my girls to stay with them this summer for a couple weeks. I have been chatting with Jared for about 3yrs online and on the phone and I would really love to meet him in person, and hang out with both of them. I am really hoping we can afford the trip.
4 people like this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
5 May 07
I have made friends on the net here in Portugal and we have had coffee of lunch together. It is not that hard here in Portugal. One of my friends met a man on the net and was later asked to be godmother to his son. It's odd though, because we met them on the Yahoo Brazilian Net. I can't say that we are close friends but we do get together about once every six months of so. Nice posting. +
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 May 07
It is nice to meet people from all over the world. The internet is a wonderful tool to meet people with.
1 person likes this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
5 May 07
I for one can prove that they are wrong. I met my husband online and we were half world apart when we first met on Yahoo Chat. Yet we got married and have been married for amost 7 years going strong. Doesn't mean that this can happen to every body, it's just that not every one we meet online are cheaters, pedophiles etc. Some of them are nice people looking for friendship or love.
4 people like this
@lmccom10 (76)
• Australia
5 May 07
I MET MY FRIEND VIA INTERNET! :D Of all things, Livejournal. I talk to her everyday, for most/all the day, and yep we don't study as much but I'm deciding to defer university anyway. I saw her and another friend we met (Livejournal again) when I went to Canada to see them, and she's coming to see me next year :D. I think you have to find the right people in the right place.
My mum also met my step dad via the internet as well.
3 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
5 May 07
First let me say, I am very sorry to hear this news about your friend.
I truly hope that he is able to enjoy the love and peace being at home can offer him!
As for becoming real friends on the internet. I do believe it is possible.
We bare our thoughts and feelings more easily here on the internet. Hoping people will be accepting and hoping that those that are not will just move on.
Those that we connect with...we have the chance of developing a greater spiritual bond with over the internet rather an a superficial one developed face to face.
Don't get me wrong please! People do develop great connections face to face.
I just think it is easier to get deeper into the person here in virtual world. :)
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157474)
• United States
5 May 07
My sympathy to your friends, it sounds like they are supportive partners to the end. I know you can find friends in many places, but you have to open your eyes and look. I feel like MyLot has really expanded my friendships. You have to have a friendly attitude.
3 people like this
@linda345 (2661)
• Canada
5 May 07
First of all, I am sorry to hear about your friend having cancer. I truely believe that friends can be found on the internet. I have a group of friends that I have been chatting with for 5 years. We haven't met in person yet but we will someday. My sisterinlaw met her husband through the internet too. They have two beautiful children and have been married for 8 years.
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
5 May 07
It it so nice to hear that you can have internet friends who you can meet and and further the friendship. Perhaps I will, one day, have the same happen to me.
3 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
5 May 07
I would have to agree. I have made a number of good friends over the internet. One of them I have even met, & she was in the US.
I have met local friends met over the internet too.
Yours is a lovely story of friendship & caring. Especially at a time when your friend most needs it.
@charlestchan (1415)
• Malaysia
5 May 07
erm.. you're right.. friends are found everywhere.. it doesn't matter whether it's friend from the internet .. or you met them somewhereelse.. it's the same.. if it's a good friend.... i think internet friend can be very caring too.. this girl i met on the internet.. she's really nice.. now i take her as my younger sister.. because i think by doing so.. i can care for her more..and she can care for me too...if i have problems..i will tell her.. and she will share the problems with me.. i will also share my problems with me..and i think it's going fine.. because i'm very sure i met a good friend already =)
3 people like this
@joice86 (1078)
• Philippines
5 May 07
Wow, i am happy for you that you were able to find true friends over the internet. It's just disheartening to hear that he is sick now. Hope he will get well soon and that your friendships will last forever. Hope i will find someone too over the internet.lol
3 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
7 May 07
I think you can truly find real friends on the internet. It is easy to talk with them and very easy to get close, even without meeting them face to face. Sometimes it is easier to express things by writing to a friend on the internet than others you have to deal with on a daily basis. I have many friends on the internet.
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
9 May 07
Thanks, I can use all of them I can get. You are one of mine also.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
8 May 07
So do I, and you are one of them.
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
11 May 07
I am very sorry to hear this about your friend.
You can find very good and close friends on the internet. I certainly have. Sometimes we learn more about a person without looking at them in the flesh. Hugs honey.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
13 May 07
Thanks Margieanne. I have met many people whom I have developed very close relatinships with. Many of them have been from meeting them on the internet.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
5 May 07
I have met a few people in person that I was friends with online through my community forum. I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I really don't know what else to say except I am sending a big hug to you. BTW, I can't believe you were in Rochester and you didn't look me up. I live less than an hour away. Rochester is where we have to take my youngest grandson all the time for his doctors visits.
3 people like this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
5 May 07
How sad. I certainly wish both of them the best and hope he gets well?
I think friends are found everywhere too. I have mylot friends, email friends and my regular friends in real life too. I consider all of them important and appreciate they are a part of my life. I certainly consider you a friend too! :)
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
11 May 07
The Internet is a powerful thing. I've been befriend by a few people on-line and they are such good friends. I bless the day we met and subsequent days as we got to know one another. I don't make friends easily and my friends just never let go. They are always in the background sending me love whenever I need it and I feel like part of their families.
I'm sorry for the sadness in the lives of your friends, it's times like these that your friends are really needed. I've said a little prayer of comfort for you and yours. Hugs.
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
5 May 07
It's true, I'm really starting to think of some of the people here as friends. If the internet can help people connect this way, it's a good thing. I wish the best for Koos. Hospice is great for helping people stay comfortable at home. They did a good job taking care of not only my friend's dad when he had cancer, but they offered comfort for the family.
2 people like this
