In my opinion, a loss is a loss. Some say that relationships on the Internet aren't real, that we're crazy to strike up friendships on the Internet because it's not real life. Excuse me?? I haven't had a relationship on the Internet, good or bad, that hasn't impacted my life in some way.

For years, I haven't gone into chat rooms on AOL because of the crap that goes on, but "way back when" AOL was young, I frequented a room called "Thirty-Something." The people that met there were just as real as you and I and we formed close bonds. Someone got it in their head that we should have a party and meet each other. They pulled it off! Many of us even flew in to the given city. We all got rooms and met at the same hotel. That evening, we went to a hall and had our party. The people acted in 3D just like they acted in the Internet chat room. It was a wonderful experience! Love, acceptance and kindness were overflowing.

Later on, when I separated from my husband, I had an "on-line relationship." It was wonderful!! ... as long as it stayed on the Internet. We met in person and things weren't as intense as they had been. Regardless, that man made a definite impression on me and my life. He encouraged me to pursue my writing. We shared written stories and we even wrote some poetry together. He also taught me much about relationships, communication and expectations. A very important lesson he taught me was that we don't really KNOW the people we have interaction with on the Internet. We only know what they allow us to know and sometimes they pose a fake front. There's no way of knowing who is on the other side of the screen. We even had some wonderfully outrageous flights of fancy. Better than anything, he was always the perfect gentleman.

There were a couple of women I became acquainted with on a grandparent's site. This didn't turn out to be nearly as positive as other relationships, but you bet I invested much of my time and in the end, some of my sanity with the younger of the two. How badly I wanted to save her life! Come to find out, her life wasn't in jeopardy at all! She used me... but I learned a valuable lesson.

Quite a few relationships have evolved here on this board. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be who I am today without them. I'll be eternally greatful for their friendship, understanding and patience with me. A few of those friendships have been lost along the way, but I'm still a better person for having "known" them. I've mourned the loss of the relationship, like I would mourn the loss of any of the relationships I have with my on-line friends here. But I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Everyone leaves their mark on those whom they come in contact with.




<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>