I have been thinking quite a bit about friendship lately. One of the blogger’s that I follow regularly Spearfruit (Terry) (click for link to blog) has been battling cancer for while now. We have all followed along with him sending good thoughts and prayers for healing and pain-free days. When he wrote yesterday that he was returning home to enter hospice care I will admit, I cried. I could see the pictures he posted and knew in my heart what was coming but it was still so sad to finely have that confirmation from him.
Someone once commented on a post I read that on-line friendships weren’t real that they are not built on shared experiences, common interests, or real emotion. I highly disagree. If anything I think I often share more of myself with some of the people I know on-line especially commenting on their blogs. There is the safety in the on-line world that is more perceived than actual. I tend to open my heart when a blog touches my soul or a memory long forgotten. I want to share my memories and little pieces of me when something resonates with me.
This is Terry. He has shared his life and his battle with cancer openly and honestly. Something that most of you don’t know is that my father is currently living with liver cancer. I don’t talk about it much because there are more pressing health issues that he has that seem to push it to the back of my mind. It is slow-growing but it is always there. I also have several friends that are currently living with lung cancer, brain cancer, and bone cancer. They all know that it will eventually be what takes their life but they all refuse to let it take the time they have left to live. Terry has been so open and honest with his story I felt that I could see a glimpse into their mindsets. I know each and every person is different but the phrase, “learn to live like you are dying,” is something I see in common with each one of them.
So, I don’t know where this is exactly going other than to say blogging friends are real friends. We may never meet in person but when I comment or share with you all I do it as a friend. Your stories touch me and change me in some way each and every day. They make me think, feel, and want to better the world. You are my friends and when we are all gone from this world I will grieve for the world will have lost some really great people.
What's for Dinner Moms? 
Well said. My heart aches for him too. Fuck cancer! 😕
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I agree.
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You are right about bloggers. It does bring people together. Miles apart, yet a click of a keyboard away. It’s really great when you connect with someone. Its truly a blessing! ❤︎
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Thank you!
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It can make a difference for someone..when you least expect it! ❤︎
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Cancer sucks! I lost my dad in 2005 to lung cancer and I miss him each and every day.
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It is awful. It touches everyone at some level at some point in their life.
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I am sorry to read about your friend’s health issues… I agree with you, that it is possible to connect very genuinly with other bloggers. That is real friendship to me, and the caring is as sincere as if we were face to face. Too bad for the people who don’t believe it to be possible, they’re just missing on great bonds with fabulous people 🙂
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Thank you. Friendship in whatever form it is is wonderful.
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Oh yes 🙂
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Marci, thank you for sharing this, and I couldn’t agree more. You and your family will be in my prayers, I lost my dad to liver cancer many years ago, so I hear you. Terry has touched the hearts of so many …this is an emotional time for all. x
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Thank you, Lynne.
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Very well said. Hope your friend will have a peaceful journey ❤️
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Thank you so very much.
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What a wonderful, touching post. I’m glad you wrote it, because I’ve been thinking of Terry today, and I’ve shed a few tears. I wish only the best for your father, and your friends.
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Thank you. His story has touched so many of us in different ways.
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so true! We are connected in a different way; but, it can be a powerful way. Prayers sent.
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Thank you.
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Beautiful sentiments, Marci. Yes, it is often easier to put our carefully crafted words and emotions into writing than to blurt out things in person that often don’t convey precisely what we want them to say. I keep my oldest and dearest friends even though I may only see them once a decade, but the written word lets us pick up where we left off. My recent trip “back home” really brought that reality back to me and it is worth the effort. God bless Terry and all who fight this curse of a disease. .
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Thank you, Pat. Your kind words mean so much.
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I suppose they are as real as we want them to be. I hope Terry’s suffering will be short.
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Yes, I reread his post from yesterday and though so very sad it sounds like he is ready for the pain and suffering to end.
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I hope he will be comfortable (and I hope it will be fast.)
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Online friendship is real and affirming, but then again, it creates a false sense of a person. Because online you only show what you allow to be shared, whereas with a flesh and blood, physical friend, you have to accept the good, the bad and the ugly, and decide to love them anyway. Then again, only knowing someone online doesn’t diminish the pain you feel when they suffer. Such a quagmire, this new way of considering friends. I feel it is so easy too get bogged down in the whys and wherefores, when I should perhaps, just go with the flow……..
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True. There are so many facets to our personalities, some that we don’t even know or acknowledge, that others can see in real life. But, then again is that us or their perception of us? Too deep to think about….
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So true.
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Thank you for sharing. While I haven’t been in the blogging world that long, I have already began to forge new friendships, and I believe they are as real as the friendships with those that I see on a regular basis. I agree that there is ‘security’ in the online world, and too, am prone to share more of myself here than anywhere else. For most that I’ve come across so far, just our common thread of blogging is enough of a start. Then certain posts expand that friendship even more…. Beautiful piece here today!!
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Thank you so very much!
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The written word is so powerful, and you’ve expressed your feelings beautifully. We may not see each other, but we KNOW each other.
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Thank you so very much!
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The written word is powerful and you’ve expressed your feelings beautifully. We may not SEE each other, but we KNOW each other.
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Cancer truely sucks, I’m sorry to read about your friend. Two of my closest friends I’ve never met in person. I used to be a little ashamed about that for some reason, but really, why does it matter? I cant imagine life without them ❤
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Thank you. Friendship is friendship no matter the form it takes.
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It is heartbreaking…I’ve been praying for Terry (& Gary) for a while and was so sad to read his last post..I agree with you that many people can touch your heart – even if you don’t meet them face to face. Thanks for sharing how you feel my blogging friend…
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Thank you. My heart and prayers are with them.
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I’ll be praying for you father too…💗
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Thank you.
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Very touching. It’s true many bloggers may never meet each other in real life, but they can leave everlasting footprints on our hearts.
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Thank you.
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Marci, you are a beautiful person and friend. Thank you for this wonderful post. I agree about having a true friendship with online friends especially here on WP. Without you and others, I do not know how I would get through some of my tough days. Thanks for mentioning me in this post, and I am glad we have met and become friends and you are in my life online. Happy Thursday! 🙂
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Thank you, Terry. For everything….
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Beautiful said and completely agreed with 💙
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Thank you.
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😍😍😭😭 I love this blog!!!!
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Thank you so very much!
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I have met up with a few online friends and know of others who have met up too, sometimes in a group. It is a bit like the penfriend situation we may have had in our childhoods but we can communicate around shared interests and of course swap pictures and videos as well. There are plenty of people who get a lot of satisfaction from online pals and their lives would be poorer without that contact.
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Thank you! I definitely agree. I am meeting some blogging people for the first time this weekend and I am very excited.
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Lovely post!
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Thank you!
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So heartfelt and touching. Cancer is cruel. Thank goodness for our community of friends and family to support each other through the rough times.
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I am grateful for my blogging friends.
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Anybody can be a friend as long as they leave an imprint upon us and inspire us. Please read this post here how a friend can convert a simple day into a truly memorable one: https://columntribe.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/a-break-from-everyday/
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Thank you. I will.
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beautifully said
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Thank you!
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