Thought this was the perfect time to share this:

Friends Without Faces

We sit and we type and we stare at our screens,
We can't help but wonder what all of this means.
With mouse in hand ...we roam through this maze,
On an infinite search...lost in a daze.

We chat with each other, we type all our woes
At times we'll band together to gang up on our foes.
We wait for somebody, to type out our name
We want recognition, but it is always the same.

Soon friendships are formed - but - why we don't know,
But some of these friendships, will flourish and grow.
We give kisses and hugs, and sometimes we'll flirt,
In IMs we chat deeply, and reveal why we hurt.

Why is it on screen, we are so easily bold,
Telling our secrets, that have never been told.
The answer is simple, it is as clear as a bell,
We all have our problems, and need someone to tell.

We can't tell real people, but tell someone we must
So we turn to our 'puters ...and to those we can trust.
Even though it sounds crazy...the truth still remains,
Most of my "friends" have no faces...and odd little names.
~Rusty Black, ©1996

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 03:32 pm:

Very fitting!

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 04:30 pm:

Oh my gosh! That's perfect

By Kay on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 07:15 pm:

That definitely is perfect - thanks for posting!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 10:58 pm:

Very Cute... And very appropriate..

By Pamt on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 11:17 pm:

Yeah, but...

I really hope everyone has some "real friends with skin on" (i.e., people in real life) to literally cry with them, hug them, and cheer them on, as opposed to (((hugs))). I definitely appreciate all of my online friendships---and I have several, but I think it is so, so, so important to have real-life friends that you can spill your guts to and they love you anyway. I am afraid that sometimes in our highly technological world that the computer and computer-based relationships sometimes substitute for real people with whom you have actually in-person interactions and I do find that sad and troubling.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 01:31 am:

I think we all have friends off line... I am thinking she was sharing because of the warm fuzzes she was feeling from the other post. She was sharing it in regards to MV and the members. Not as in her own personal life and only having on line friends... She was thinking it fit the site..

By Rayanne on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 07:46 am:

I love it!!!!!

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 07:55 am:

You might be surprised at the number of people who actually have a problem getting close to someone *in person*. I think there are people out there who can bare their souls on the internet, but have difficulty doing that IRL, relating to another person one on one, face to face, it's an emotional intimacy thing.

That said, I cherish my friendships I've made online, many from this board, and I've met a few IRL, but I have *real friends with skin on* too (again, some I've made from this board) that I can get real hugs from when I'm crying on their shoulder.... and vice versa......

By Marcia on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 11:23 am:

Some of my best friends are people that I met on the internet, and would not have met without it. I have spent many holidays with Bea, as well as a few other online friends. I do have many good friends who live a lot closer to me, but I am so thrilled that I was able to find these special friends. My life would not be the same without them!

By Pandamamaoo4 on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 12:05 pm:

I like that. I'm gonna make a copy of it for our DSD whos 17 and has friends on the computer that she chats with.
Thank you for posting this!

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 12:28 pm:

I have friends IRL but i'd guarantee you girls know more of my personal life than them. I guess it's a bit of my insecurity knowing if you girls judged me all I have to do is turn off the computer and be done. IRL, I have to deal with these people everyday.