EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Living in a world of virtual friendships… July 29, 2008

I had hoped a sleep would pull me out of my slump, and it has. Or rather, the actions for friends last night before I slept did.

My real life and my virtual lives intermingle and swirl against each other. I have close friends that are long distance soulmates, ex’s and past liaisons that I now connect with by virtual paths and strong friendships that have only ever been virtual. We share a friendship based only on our words-and we can choose to open only the sides of us that we want to reveal.

I was inundated last night by people who cheered me up. On facebook, the phone, messenger, email, skype. They all did it in their own insurmountable style, and it was awesome. I felt loved.

Nothing in my circumstances has changed. I still have all the stress (and the tight band of worry around my chest) But I feel loved. And I guess, even though I live as the only adult in my house, I went to bed not feeling alone.

Which was the very best gift of all.

I have some amazing friends…some I look forward to hugging again, and others I will probably never touch. It doesn’t make the connection any less important however.

As a writer, I look on the powerful connection mere words can bring- some of these friends are people that I have never heard speak. (Though my very favourites of course I have spoken to and seen many times )

How is it that words can weave such magic? And have we forgotten that that was for so long the premise between so many growing friendships long before phones, TV and video.

I often think that we are merely reverting to the times when courtship was done by letter, betrothals by a sealed and waxed stamped letter, sent by a messenger, fast friends made by a penpal over the seas you would only hope to meet one day.

There is nothing new with virtual friends- except the response is so much faster.

And, I am very glad I live in the age of this resurgence. I needed you guys last night…thank you.

Right…back to the bad weather, (though I plan to brave it and walk the beach anyway!)