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Description
They say that you can't truly get to know someone over the internet.

That, in my case, is very true. I throw up so many barriers and false images that not even those who believe they know me best online know me at all.

Although sometimes, they do surprise me.
So maybe they know me better than I thought they would.

But I digress. That debate- as to whether you can truly get to know someone you've never actually met, whether you can grow to care about them as you would anyone else, can be raged another time. But right now, I want no part of it. Because I know that those who deny the power of internet friendships simply have no idea what fellowship can do.

They can open your mind to unexplored planes.

They can bring you comfort and laughter in the darkest hours.

They can remind you to stop and look before it all goes away.

They can remind you that today just might be your last day.

Some time ago, I joined a website called FooPets. It featured realistic(ish) dogs and cats that you could pet, feed, take on walks to do their business, play with, dress up and create homes for. The pets brought me there, but it was the people that I met in the forums that made me stay.

A little corner of FooPets that Nanny called the Sanctuary.

Away from the general insanity we chatted, we laughed, we cried, we posted photoshopped pictures of an admin named Scott. We had some of the best times together: from the hilarity when Scott made an appearance during a discussion about bras to the outrage and confusion when things on the site took a turn for the worst to the tears when Nanny's cat Pickle passed away- we held on strong. But in the dark days that marked the end of many of the members'- including myself- days on FooPets, Nanny created a new refuge for us. Not all of us made the transition well. Some beloved faces I only see now and again. Or never at all.

So I didn't make too much of it when one user- Green Angel- disappeared.

I realise I should have when news came earlier this week that she was diagnosed with cancer.

Our Angel only has weeks left to live.

So I sit here behind my keyboard. Braids spread out around me to dry. Family members passing up and down. While I mourn the soon-to-come loss of a very special woman I had never even met.

Description
They say that you can't truly get to know someone over the internet.

That, in my case, is very true. I throw up so many barriers and false images that not even those who believe they know me best online know me at all.

Although sometimes, they do surprise me.
So maybe they know me better than I thought they would.

But I digress. That debate- as to whether you can truly get to know someone you've never actually met, whether you can grow to care about them as you would anyone else, can be raged another time. But right now, I want no part of it. Because I know that those who deny the power of internet friendships simply have no idea what fellowship can do.

They can open your mind to unexplored planes.

They can bring you comfort and laughter in the darkest hours.

They can remind you to stop and look before it all goes away.

They can remind you that today just might be your last day.

Some time ago, I joined a website called FooPets. It featured realistic(ish) dogs and cats that you could pet, feed, take on walks to do their business, play with, dress up and create homes for. The pets brought me there, but it was the people that I met in the forums that made me stay.

A little corner of FooPets that Nanny called the Sanctuary.

Away from the general insanity we chatted, we laughed, we cried, we posted photoshopped pictures of an admin named Scott. We had some of the best times together: from the hilarity when Scott made an appearance during a discussion about bras to the outrage and confusion when things on the site took a turn for the worst to the tears when Nanny's cat Pickle passed away- we held on strong. But in the dark days that marked the end of many of the members'- including myself- days on FooPets, Nanny created a new refuge for us. Not all of us made the transition well. Some beloved faces I only see now and again. Or never at all.

So I didn't make too much of it when one user- Green Angel- disappeared.

I realise I should have when news came earlier this week that she was diagnosed with cancer.

Our Angel only has weeks left to live.

So I sit here behind my keyboard. Braids spread out around me to dry. Family members passing up and down. While I mourn the soon-to-come loss of a very special woman I had never even met.