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Monday, November 5, 2012

Up Close & Personal


This is the age of technology and more often than not, this is how we form our relationships now…online. Whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter, online dating and friend sites or joining a particular group, we are bound to make some incredible connections. For a long time I fought off going this route and wanted nothing to do with talking to new people because let’s face it, they can be very nice or they can be incredibly cruel. But when Alex got sick I was pushed into joining an online support group. I had no other way to find the help and answers I needed to treat her illness. It was scary to be honest and yes, there were days when I wanted to scream at people to stop being so rude. But this gave me the opportunity I needed to realize how much something like IBDkitties was needed and it also got me to open myself up to new people.

I have long since left that group but found another one I feel much more at home with. In the 2 ½ years I’ve been in this group I have met truly some of the nicest people I’ve ever met in this life; so much so that they’ve restored a lot of my faith in humanity. They’ve showed me how to have fun, how to let loose and open myself up, and most importantly to trust people. This trust always comes with a healthy dose of caution of course, as it very well should. But it’s very important to have that trust and let yourself be a part of something bigger than your little world. I’ve also joined some other groups and have my own newsletter from my website of around 300 people or so. In all of these people I talk to online and sometimes on the phone, I had never met a single one in person…until now.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to meet one of my fellow pet parents for the first time. She and her husband live across the country and were here visiting relatives. They were nice enough to take time out of their very busy schedule to come over and meet with me and even though it was a short visit, it was a memorable one.  I realize now how important this was for me, talking with someone about a subject we are both so passionate about connected us very deeply online. But talking in person was truly effortless, as if we’d already met before and have known each other for years. Even in that short time I felt so glad I’d made that long journey from seclusion to proud kitty parent who has that special bond with so many people, it’s made me a better person. I now hope in the future to make this happen again with other pet parents and hopefully even see this particular friend again. Who knows, maybe it’ll be me travelling that way this time, you never know.

This has shown me how important it is to meet new people not only online but in person. Nothing can beat that human, personal connection. And in this world where technology can seem so cold sometimes, we all need that, we really do. As I said, be careful and cautious but know when it’s time to open those doors and let some fresh air in. Find that something you are passionate about and share it with others! You’ll be glad you did.

18 comments:

Carol said...

Kudos! Well said. Yes, of course, caution first, but there are real people with really good hearts to be found on line. I'm lucky to consider some of them among my truest friends.

IBDKitties said...

Maybe someday we should have an IBDKitty convention so we can all meet in person!

Carol said...

I think that would be lovely!

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

We are also glad that we have 'met' you, even if only online...we think we hear the pet pawrents/pets speaking for real and have even given them individual sounds to identify them with, just like peeps have voices in the real world...how funny it will be if we met up and found them to be just like that, MOL!

IBDKitties said...

MOL, that would be great! We're glad we met you too, we love you guys!

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

(((((♥)))))

Tina, Shadow & Wilson said...

I am so glad to have met you, and maybe one day i will make it out your way. It would be awesome to meet you in person, I so want to see Lacey and Finney too. One day my friend, one day :)
(((hugs))))

IBDKitties said...

I'm so glad too. And maybe then these two won't run behind the couch like they did yesterday, LOL. I would love to get together someday. (((hugs)))

Tina said...

I have only met one of my online friends in person too. Met her on Catster, she lives in Vegas, so when we go there we get to have a great visit too. We have visited 3 times so far, we love all her furkids :)

Ingen & Novi's mom said...

Lisa, I can't even begin to tell you what your friendship means to me. You were a God-send when Ingen got lost. You were/are her guardian angel.

Maybe someday we too will meet in person (and you can meet my sweet "lil Bit").

Anonymous said...

Sometimes you can feel the warmth from a person - right through the computer. I have felt that with so many that I too have met on the same group. To be able to talk with you online & ask a question - to feel like other people "get" your feelings about your kitties, is a special thing. I count so many as my friends - especially you! purrs, Maizy's momma

MILO BLUE EYES said...

Mommy always wanted to meet others in person, but sometimes efen a phone call can mean so much, an' we've done dat wif several persons from Catster!! So happy U all met got to meet wif grand furiends!~ Finn, dood, U gotta get OUT more!! MOL!!~ Big hugs to U all 'n sweet Alex 'n mommy too!!~ Thanks fur a great blog!!~ U all rock!!!

IBDKitties said...

That would be so wonderful Jenny, I love you guys and Ingen especially has a special place in my heart.

IBDKitties said...

It's a comforting feeling isn't it? Our friends are all so special.

IBDKitties said...

Thanks Milo and mom. Yeah, Finney was a big chicken but Lacey was worse. At least she got to see Finney, MOL.

blizzard said...

i've met 2 catsters...best people in the world

River and Simone's Mommy said...

This is absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad that we were able to meet and I'm glad that everything was so smooth (well, except little Finny bolting for the door with those floofy toes of his sliding all over the place!) It was great to meet you as well and I only wish we'd had a little more time to spare in our busy day! Next time, we'll set aside a longer time (and trap the kitties!) so we can really visit! Anytime you're in the Norther CA area, feel free to look us up, Simone will demand so many belly rubs, you won't even notice you're not a regular here ;-)

IBDKitties said...

Yes, next time we will spend more time together. I hope to see you again someday my friend. It was wonderful. I'd be more than happy to give Simone as many belly rubs as she wants.