A Farewell to a Friend...

[kybearfuzz]

For all of the ups and downs that come in my daily life, I do enjoy it. I may bitch and moan, wish for 10 minutes more sleep in the morning, complain about traffic, etc., but they are just little things, often without any true meaning other than to lift the spirits or unload stress. Sometimes, however, you get a moment of clarity, about what is important in life, and it is not always brought by good news.

After a dinner and a movie tonight with friends, I came home to a letter from my Tennessee Colony, TX. A 411 chat buddy of mine lives there and I sent him my naughty Christmas card. According to the letter, he never got to see it.


My buddy Johnny
The letter was from Johnny's boss. She had gotten my address from the Christmas card. She informed me that Johnny was killed on November 27th in a four-wheeler accident. She was there when it happened. He was going down a steep hill, hit a hole, and went into a tumble. Johnny was knocked out and never woke up.

I met Johnny on 411. With his graying goatee, dark eyes, and broad shoulders, I was immediately attracted to him. We started chatting off and on and I discovered that besides being very handsome, there was a kind, decent guy there behind those beautiful eyes. We talked on the phone once and chatted whenever we saw each other online, usually with a casual flirt and what was going on in our lives. He was a fun-loving guy, enjoyed the outdoors and his four-wheeling and described himself as 45 years young.

I read the letter several times, it just didn't seem quite real at first. It feels so strange to mourn someone I never met. People say that chatting online is a sort of false socializing, that you don't get a true sense of person because of the illusion of a two-dimensional picture and some vague and short description that can be full of half-truths. The other part of that argument is that there are genuinely nice people just looking to chat and find a friend. I'm proud to say I know many who are the latter.

I regret never having met Johnny in person, giving him a hug and telling him how much I enjoyed his friendship. I feel for his family and friends in their time of loss. He was a sweet guy, he'll be missed.

Comments

[triest.livejournal.com]

That's a tough one. HUGS.

[bradferd23.livejournal.com]

Big huggs buddy!!!!

[cincycub.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss darlin. *hugs*

[dmckins.livejournal.com]

That was so sad to hear but your rememberance of him was wonderful. I'm sure he is smiling right now.

Biggest hugs

[truebrixon.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. It's never easy to lose someone you know and care about even if you know them only a little. Big Hugs to ya.

[martini-tim.livejournal.com]

It's not strange to mourn for him. It's REAL. Go ahead and miss him.

[cachorro34.livejournal.com]

*HUG* Oh goodness, I'm sorry to hear about this. I hope you're doin all right *smooch*

[artsycub.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'm very sorry. *hugs*

[madkevinp.livejournal.com]

You Never Cease To Amaze me...

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry for your loss, Mark. Yeah, you may have never met Johnny in person, but this is commonplace in our digital age. There are plenty of people I know on Bear411 and LiveJournal and elsewhere whom I have come to care about, but realistically I may actually get to meet few of them in person. This is part of how technology is changing the face of human interaction. Still, that does not belittle the emotional effects of such losses.

SO. Please accept my sympathies.

[hankbear.livejournal.com]

Friendship is no less real for having never met in person. Thanks for sharing. HUGS!

[queensheba.livejournal.com]

How sad! He looked so nice and friendly in his picture. I'm glad his boss took the time to let you know what happened.

I agree, online friendships can be VERY real.

[dfwteddybear.livejournal.com]

*HUGZ* I'm sorry sweetie.

[jbear70.livejournal.com]

You feelings I'm sure are genuine even though you two haven't met. I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

voyeurism

[garbear73.livejournal.com]

it's interesting how we live our lives in today what with technology at every turn. today's connection for me brought me to a humbling moment. i was not a happy camper as of last night since i was wrapped up in my own thoughts and feelings about how my life's interactions have been of late. still sitting in this bowl of thought, i read your latest posting Mark - and it touched me. at work sometimes i talk about the one common denominator we all are looking and searching for - LOVE. it comes in many various forms and we express it even more diversely. your posting in expressing your form of love for Johnny shows a facet of yourself that we all contain but not always care to reveal. thank you for being honest and open and true to yourself. it's helped others more than we can ever know. and it also shows a beautiful heart to match that soul of yours, wrapped up in a nice handsome package. HUGS - G

[mississippicub.livejournal.com]

HUGS

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

There is nothing strange about mourning the loss of those we have made a connection with in our lives, be it in person or otherwise. My thoughts are with you.

[bonkishnurtaz.livejournal.com]

My most sincere condolences on the passing away of your friend Johnny. BTW, I do believe that you can have even virtual friends, and that they can be as real as "true friends." HUGS

My Sympathies

[countrycub1979.livejournal.com]

Mark,

So sorry to hear of the passing of your friend. You and Johnny are in my prayers.

Hugs,

Shawn