Friends online

[1/4 stick]

I still find it amazing how people we meet online and never meet in person can become so much a part of our lives. I lost such a friend the Thursday before last. We met on a social site that I frequent and complain about a lot. But I still hang out there because I got lucky and found a group of friends that I enjoy laughing with and acting the fool with. This gentleman that passed away and I shared similar backgrounds growing up and experiences in life. I often joked the reason he was on the west coast and me on the east was because each coast could only handle one of us at a time. We even shared the same liver disease that we both brought on ourselves for very similar reasons. Needless to say we talked about that a lot and it made life a bit easier to have someone that understood what the other was going through.

I was lucky and I have recovered enough, from something that could have easily killed me nearly 8 years ago, that I’ll live a fairly long life as long as I watch what I put in my body and never drink again. Someone has been watching out for me up there because the specialist told me that many that go into the hospital in the shape I did; don’t make it through the night. My friend wasn’t so lucky, he too survived that night, but his condition worsened with complications over the past couple years. And he passed away peacefully, but way too early. I woke up at 2 am this morning and found myself on that site to see if he was up to bs with a little bit then remembering as it loaded that he wouldn’t be there. And I thought of how long it took me to get used to not seeing Zooker posting on here.

Anyway, all that back story is leading to a point. I find myself regretting once again that I never really told either of them how much better they made my life. Even though we never really met anywhere other than online and chatting over the phone. Each made my life better and each made a difference in my life and my outlook on life. I just always held on to hope and faith and I didn’t want to make them think I had lost hope by telling them when they were sick. Again to my point… I want all you guys and the couple of ladies I’ve met on here to know that I keep coming back here because you guys are here. Each and every one of you. Yes this forum hosts a wealth of information and insights into fishing and many other things. But so do a lot of forums out there. It’s you guys that bring me here. Nowhere else can there be found as good a group of people that are here to help, share, and laugh as I’ve found here. And I thank you all for being what you are. Just a great group of people that I concider my friends, and I’m blessed to have known all of you even if it is online and rarely in person. You are all a very special group of people to me.

Sorry about the length and the sappiness. Just wanted you guys to know that.

[nobass]

thank you you are one of the ones that make us all laugh

[bcklash]

Stick I understand what your saying. I can remember when I was laid off a few years back me and you would be here all hours of the night joking about your, smoking, and ham. We haven't been able to that in a long time. Even though we've never met I consider you a good friend.

[bassboogieman]

The only thing better is when you get the chance to actually meet some of the people in person that hang out here. I've only met a few and everyone has proven to be as good in person as they are in print - maybe even better. I count each of them as a friend, as well as those that I text with here and haven't met - YET! It's a good bunch that haunt this forum, some new blood wouldn't hurt, but the core group is one of the best I've encountered in cyber space.

[nofearengineer]

I agree with all of you.

"Internet friendships" is a really neat thing.

I am only now starting to get reconnected with a bunch of folks in the UK who I used to play a MMORPG (video game) with. It's funny how much I missed them.

If we lost this site, that would SUCK!

And actually meeting some of the guys on here is so cool. When discussing my vacations with people, they're usually sort of puzzled when I tell them I'm going fishing with a bunch of guys I met online.

[MississippiBoy]

It is really amazing how we can "meet" online and become friends.
I remember back in 2007-2008 when we first started talking about having the first "member event" at Guntersville. I told my wife about it, and she thought I was half crazy. Almost the last thing she said to me as I left was, "Be careful! You don't know these people."
Turns out, she was right....I should've been more careful. Now, I can't get Bama to leave me alone......

[coldbasser]

i have been on this site for a few years now and feel like a small part of it I get far more out of reading the posts and pics that are posted. I too have been spared an early death by the grace of god. I look forward to reading and sharing lifes trials and tribulations that go on. i sincerly wish people well dream about one day fishing some of the lakes and spots that are talked about on this site. A trip to fish is a trip well spent!
Cheers from Canada and Thank you

[Bubba_Bruiser]

Awesome post Stick. I swing by daily just to see what the lay down is and have met some awesome people. I keep hoping to catch 1 of the "outings" and it will pan out in due time. But here's to you fellas.

On another note of you mentioning looking for your buddy and then realize they aren't there. After loosing my Mom over 3 years ago; I still catch myself picking up the phone to call her and tell her a funny moment or just to say I love her.

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by Bubba_Bruiser

After loosing my Mom over 3 years ago; I still catch myself picking up the phone to call her and tell her a funny moment or just to say I love her.

How true. I lost my Dad 4-1/2 years ago, and I still can't bring myself to delete his number from my cell phone.

[keithdog]

I'm sorry to learn about the passing of your friend Donald. I've lost a few of my friends over the years I only knew on line, and felt the loss of each as though I'd known them all my life. The relationships formed on line can be so very rewarding. I honestly think in most situations, you may get to know someone better on line than in person because often people are able to express themselves much better in type than verbally. And often people will open themselves up in this kind of format easier than face to face. I was able to meet several of the folks here in the forums at one of our get togethers and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. It's a great group of people here in the forums, and I would be devastated to loose this site where we all share in so many ways. I appreciate your friendship Donald, along with everyone else. Good idea for a post.

[bamabassman]

friends, brothers and sisters.... there aren't mere WORDS to describe how i feel. and no daniel...i'll NEVER leave you or anyone else here alone. hahaha!!


but seriously....no mere words can be written..............none.

[1/4 stick]

Originally Posted by bamabassman

friends, brothers and sisters.... there aren't mere WORDS to describe how i feel. and no daniel...i'll NEVER leave you or anyone else here alone. hahaha!!


but seriously....no mere words can be written..............none.

true.. true

[MallenManson]

I'm sorry you lost your friend, Donald.
Most of us here completely understand where you're coming from. I was crushed when Zooker died, and I'd only talked to him on the telephone.

There really are some great people here. I've met a grand total of 1, yet I consider so many of you as good friends.
It's odd....so many of you are just incredibly good people, that I often feel unworthy of your friendship ; )
Whenever I'm not around for a while....I really miss you all.
Hopefully someday I can make it to a get together and shake some hands (and be out fished)