What do you call a friend that you’ve never met face to face? Never been physically in the same room with? But have spent time with laughing over shared experiences (watching awful old movies and making snide comments a la MST3K)? Someone that you’ve followed through their up times and their down times, stopping to leave a note when you see them post online?
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve physically met or not, they are still a friend. I realized today that I probably have more friends online than I do IRL (In Real Life). It’s not because I’m not friendly. It’s mostly because I spend most of my time at work and the rest of my time with my wife and fur children. We have a couple of friends that we go out with and celebrate birthdays and holidays with. And I do have friends at work.
A few years ago I had a large group of friends. But distance and drama took it’s toll and those friends either faded from my life or, became online friends themselves. I still love to see them when they are in town or have time. But I have no time for drama any more. There are way too many things I want to do with the time I’ve been given.
No, I haven’t been diagnosed with any scary terminal disease or anything. I’ve just become aware that, barring some kind of unexpected miracle, I have probably lived over half of my life by now. That is sobering when you think of all the exciting things that I still want to do. For instance, I have several books that I want to write. And, I want to write and produce a television series. Not to mention that I want to write and produce several movies. And of course I want to compose music. The list goes on and on and continues to grow.
I have no time for drama or pettiness or any sort of thoughtlessness. I’m doing well just to get my job done at work and spend the rest of my time with my loved ones and doing as many of the things on my list as I can get around to while I’m still able. I highly recommend that you all do the same. And while your at it, say hi to all your friends, IRL and online.
Sweet dreams, don’t forget to tell the people you love that you love them, and most important of all, be kind.