Online friendships

[Gemini]

None of us would have met but for the internet. We all joined a forum, looking for friendship and support from other grandmothers.
We are a group of very different people - religious and not, left and right voting, married, widowed or divorced, retired, working and somewhere in between, houseproud and the less so!

Grandchildren bring us together, but friendships then form. Some of us meet up with others in our area, and many of us look forward to the annual 'big' meet up. Others prefer not to meet, or are unable to.
I consider all of you my online friends, whether I have met you or not. It's lovely to meet, and reinforces our friendships, but I know it's not for everyone.
I have one online friend who lives in my town. We met many years ago, on a slimming forum, and it was a year or more before we realised we lived a mile from each other! I have several American online friends, four of who I have met.

The world is smaller with online friends. We can talk to our friends in other parts of the country, and the world, every day.
I have plenty of other friends, who I have not met online (and one friend who doesn't even own a computer! ) but my life would be much poorer without my online friends.... especially the GRU ones, of course

[Mimi]

Gemini I agree. Although some of us have never met we do have a special bond.
We have all comes from different walks of life but there is no 'put you downs ' or snobbery (as can been found on another granny type of forum) .
Not one of us pulls the other up on bad spelling or grammar, or different political views. The world outside this forum can sometimes be a spiteful, hateful place and what matters to us is friendship. Nothing more , nothing less. Let the world bicker, we have no need for it here
I count each and every one of you my friends. I haven't had the opportunity to meet any of you face to face but never say never, there maybe a time , when thighs are different at home that I may get to meet you.
Thank you all for being my friend, for being there, when just lately, life has been a little difficult to say the least. X

[Enfys]

Two lovely posts and I agree with you both. This is a lovely place to come and chat, no-one is judgemental, just lots of support and friendship when we need it. I haven't met any of you ..yet... But still feel that we are all friends.

[Oma]

The ladies on hear I class as my good friends you all have been there for me in my darkest days and my happiest days without you all I would have been very lonely at times . Meeting up is a big bonus xxxxxxx

[Plantaholic]

I echo all that has been said, I have had a lot of love and support from you all.

[Libra Gran]

Me to Plant, I just love that this is a "safe" place to come, no judgements. Be it in happy, sad or worrying times I know your all here to talk to even if no one has all the answers. A safety net for all, thank you all for being a friend. Xxx

[Nanto2girls]

I have to agree with all that has been said. No one judges anyone on here, and it's good to know help and support will always be here in times of need.
Thank you, for being such good friends.

[Qwerty]

Ode To A Forum

One day I decided to get on the net,
I thought a granny forum would be my best bet.
I saw names and words come up from where
I knew not.
I soon took a chance and had a nice thought,
Could I do this, it looked really neat.
I saw names on the screen that started with Granny Goggins,
Genejeanie, Pimms and Granny jules were there too,
And then I saw it, "Oh, yes, we're talking to you,
come on in and chat for awhile. "
And when I did I started to smile.
I saw Beth and Minnystring and soon I was friends
with quite a few people by the days end.
And after awhile they called me their friend.
Sometimes I come in and my friends are not there,
But I'll go back again because I know that they care.
Some live in other many miles away and some do not,

But they always know when I need to talk.
I am so glad I took the leap and went into the
Forum where friends are so neat

[Libra Gran]

nice one Qwerty xx

[Shemadee]

Strange thing is it often easier to talk to online friends than offline friends when we have serious worries and concerns. Good to put into words how important we are to each other in this very special place.

[Daisy]

I totally agree with you all. You are all very special and I feel lucky to have you in my life.

To all my GRU friends,

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Lovely thread this. When something happens that I want to share or about which I am concerned then this is my "go to place" without a doubt. I know the internet has it's critics and I can understand why but I, for one, would not want to be without it for a moment. This site is the kindest and more generous place and everyone that works to keep it what it is should be very proud. I bet there are not many sites that could compete with this one.
I belong and participate in our local Street Life site and I can't tell you how heated and inflammatory the discussions can become. We at GRU are lucky to have this special place.

[Gemini]

I have just revisited this thread, and it makes me happy

[Daisy]

Gem - it makes heart-warming reading.

I do worry sometimes though about members who for whatever reason can't or don't post for a while. But I suppose caring about others that is what friendship is all about, whether it's online or over the garden fence, and I think every member here is a warm, caring person.

[Gemini]

Daisy I notice that several members log in here very regularly, but haven't posted for some time.
I hope they gain some comfort from reading, even if they don't join in, and hope they will post again soon!