My cyber friend ?

Oh tanith, sending every good wish to you and your friend.

I know from experience what good relationships can be built between people who have never met.

A meeting of minds can be just as strong and important as face to face friendships.

I'm sure your companionship and support, albeit over a distance, has meant so very much to her.

Am sorry to hear this Tanith, it is very hard when someone you care about is so far away, but you seem to have done as much as anyone could in your position, at least you have been able to keep in contact with her daughters, I am sure they would have let her know they have been in contact with you and given her your letters. You can do no more, but I am sure she treasures the time she has known you, as you do her. Big hugs to you

Oh how this reminds me of my mum and dad. The difference they met once. They met a couple for 1 evening in Honolulu and emailed for 15 years and we’re true friends,
My heart goes out to you but I truly believe your friendship is truly valued by your friend. ?

I’m so sorry tanith, your friend has a very special place in your life. Sending love to you both.

My thanks for your kindness.

Just sending (hugs), tanith. This must be very difficult for you.

tanith
I "met" a distant cousin through researching the family tree.
We e-mailed about our findings and I was put in touch with two other members of her family, both men of a similar age to her.
Eventually we just became cyber friends, I got to hear about her children and their lives and she about mine.
We never met although she didn't live a great distance away, she always put a face to face meeting off.
One of the other cousins did come to visit with his wife and I am in fairly regular contact with the other.
About 4 years ago I had been in contact over the weekend and she asked me if I believed in life after death, our previous chat had been about cats, gardening, family etc and I was very surprised.
It was our last contact as she took her own life on the Tuesday morning.
Shock can't describe how I felt and this hadn't been the long and close contact you had with your friend.
For several days I expected a message or a letter telling me why. It never came of course.
I hope you get comfort from the memories of your long friendship, I am sure she knows you are with her in spirit.
You will grieve as if you knew her personally.
Best wishes to you and her family during these next days and weeks.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

That is sad - it is wonderful to find a kindred spirit via whatever means, and I am sorry that she is now nearing the end of her life.

I honestly don't think there is any difference in love whether it's for a cyber friend or a face-to-face one. Love is love and it hurts when someone you care about is in pain - or gone.

I have lost several cyber friends and a few pen-friends (some I'd had 35 years) and I've cried in exactly the same way I do when a face-to-face friend dies, or is ill or has some similar tragedy.

All you can do tanith is be very grateful that fate brought you together to share so much.
I know for sure that your Illinois friend loves you as much as you love her and that the years you spent together brought her much joy. I think you know that too - so eventually you will rejoice that it was so.

So sad Tanith.....when my friend was in the last days, all his family from abroad, rang him and said a few words. His wife held the phone to his ears. He couldn't talk, but he listened...perhaps it was of comfort to him. I don't know.

You have been a great friend. You will mourn because you knew her as sure as if you had met her in the flesh.
Don’t feel bad because you are not physically with her.
Send your love across those miles. She will feel it. I’m certain

All the elements that make a true friendship are present in your relationship with this 'cyber friend' tanith, so it's quite natural that you will grieve her death. I expect she is aware of the strength of your concern, just as you would be if the positions were reversed.

Thinking of you both
Loosing a good friend is so hard, we share so much.
I’m sure her daughter will find comfort in your letter after your friend has passed.

Sendings ((hugs)) Tanith at this sad time your friend will know how much you both meant to each other,

That's so difficult - sending you lots of love ? x

It's a difficult time for you I know.
A friend of mine died the Christmas day before last. I did actually meet her, but we first became friends through the fact that her son was killed in a motorsport accident - he had become a family friend while over here, and I wrote to her to say what a lovely lad he was and how much he'd be missed.
After I emigrated, she got in touch with me and we built up a friendship by phone and letter - she helped me over some difficult times when my own family were across the other side of the world, we actually met when I went to stay with her while my marriage was breaking up, and when I came back here we kept in touch.
I still can't believe how much her passing affected me, but as well as a friend, she had become my second mum.
At least you have had a chance to tell her what she meant to you and also to say farewell and she is aware of that. May she pass peacefully and it might help you to perhaps buy yourself a little something as a memorial or make a donation to a charity she might have a connection with.
Be kind to yourself, it is still a great loss xx

That is a lovely idea jaylucy for tanith to make a donation in memory of her friend.
A friend is a friend irrespective of how you keep in touch, some people just click and understand each other. It sounds like this is the case with your friend. I'm sure your messages have been comforting for her and her family tanith I hope her passing is peaceful. You have both enjoyed a great friendship and that's something to look back on with happiness at a later time.

Tanith, annsixty.
All I can do is say how sorry I am for your loss and virtual hugs are sent.
I wish I had better words but I don't.

That's really sad.?

Her daughter has told me that her Mum is at peace with her decision to stop all medication and food she actually said “that’s it enough now I’m ready to go”.

I hope I would have as much dignity when my time comes.

Thanks for that suggestion ‘jaylucy’ I had been whether I should send flowers but donating is a much better plan I think. When the time comes I will ask the family if can they suggest a cause Marilyn(my friend) would approve of.
Gransnet terms are a kind bunch for sure.

That should be Gransnetters

Oh tanith. I am so very sorry. I can only say that I, having experienced going out of my body when the Doctor said he thought I was dead, am absolutely sure we do not die. Her spirit, which is truly who she is, will be released. I do not know if she will be able to touch you in spirit but I believe we have to leave that to God.

I wonder if there is anything you can do, for yourself, to mark the passing of your wonderful friend? Can you put a letter in a frame and keep it by some flowers?

I am so glad you told her you love her. She is very blessed to have you as her friend. I remember when you were particularly kind to me here. I know you are a special and gentle person filled with unselfish love.

I pray that some comfort comes to your heart at this time. May you feel the perfect peace that your friend will feel when all her troubles are past and her pain is ceased. I know she will go to people who know her and love her very much.

Bless you Tanith, treat yourself gently. With love, Elle x ?????

I can truly emphatise as I attended the funeral of a lovely lady earlier this year who through circumstances I had never had the joy of meeting face to face. I met her on a health forum (we had the same illness) and we just clicked. Like you I felt I knew her family through seeing their photos and her telling me all about them. She was truly supportive when my husband was diagnosed with cancer and tried to support her through her various health problems. Even though she was ill it was a massive shock when she died. When had the opportunity to meet her family I could see they had inherited her lovely nature. I can honestly say I felt closer to her after the 5 years of knowing her than to some of my friends of 4O years standing. Don't feel your grief is false in any way or lesser because you have never met. The connection you two have is very real so as others have said be gentle on yourself and let yourself grieve as you would any friend.x