Ready?
So, i've been thinking about my relative lack of real life friends. When i was a kid and in school i always made great efforts to build friendships. I made calls, set up gatherings, picked people up, planned parties, etc. As the years went on after high school and lives grew busier, it became more and more work to keep friendships up or even to make new ones. Eventually it became clear that i was the one doing most of the work...i was making the calls and the plans. I'm sure some of you out there can relate. Eventually i came to the point where i thought, "why am i bothering?". Did i really enjoy the company of the people i was trying to spend time with? Do i learn anything from that person? Do they learn anything from me? Is the relationship a good give and take?
Through the years, my friendships have dwindled to just about nil. At this point in my life, i have a wonderful handful of friends back in NW Indiana, i have the few fun knitting gals in my knitting group and i have a small circle of Internet Friends i've come to know and care about...even though i've never met them in person. I know that last bit may seem odd to some, but there's an unmistakable bond that ties some Internet friends. We may not be able to explain it, it just is. We're bonded by common interests and shared experiences. That's how it is with several people who are my online, blogging, knitting, Internet friends. In my mind and heart, i consider them to be friends just like my real life friends. That's just how i'm made.
I recently blogged about the wonderful yarns that JP gifted me with. (He's not blogging a lot right now because he's working hard and due to graduate from the University of Alabama in about 21 days!) Last year i blogged about how Dave gifted me with his spare swift and some books from my Amazon wish list. I've also blogged about the wonderful items that Erin sent me after i did some test knitting for her. I also received some wonderful yarn from Robin M, and from Cookie too . In addition to these things, i've received extra special goodies from some of the contests i've entered and won. I've won contests offered by Michelle (who decided to quit blogging), Lesa, Becky, Robin and Erin (oops, i never blogged about that prize!).
Well, Dave just struck again. He's sneaky, that one! Look what he sent to me.
I am extra giddy over these gifts. It just so happens that i LOVE Moose. I adore Dave's shop logo. And i had recently decided to start collecting totes from shops i buy from and visit. Dave, i cannot thank you enough! You are so incredibly generous and thoughtful, i'm very lucky to count you among the Internet friends i've made. One of these days i'll have Deb cart my arse up to Boston so we can hang out, talk fiber, and share a good meal. I can't wait.
In writing this post, it's dawned on me that there have been two other people who have gifted me with items and being the slacker that i am i think i have failed to blog about and thank one of them and KNOW i have overlooked the other! Gasp! I suck!
Long ago, when we still lived back in Indiana, Kat once gifted me with a box of yarns she was not using. Those yarns were eventually used in various projects and put to great use! Thanks Kat! You know i love you. ;)
And then there's Mia. Mia is one of a kind. Mia has a HUGE sock yarn addiction and she's a fantastic stash enabler. LOL I actually know Mia in person, she's one of the wonderful gals in our knitting group that tries to meet twice a month. There have been several times when Mia has brought wonderful gifties to me. She once brought a giant bag of her leftover yarns...i've used some, shared some and still have a lot left. She's gifted me with this, and some lace weights that i've yet to photograph. Mia has also given me some fun knitting magazines and an adorable frog that she sewed...oh yes, she sews and quilts too. I don't think she sleeps! I really need to take more photos of all of those things. Mia, thank you so much for sharing your yarn addiction and your talents. I appreciate you very much.
See? I told you this would be a long one.
In closing, i'd like to say thank you very much to all of the friends i've made through blogging and knitting. The knitting community may not be understood by all, but those of us involved, know that it's truly a wonderful place. I am very fortunate to have met some wonderful Internet friends and i plan to continue growing those friendships through our blogs, emails and hopefully a visit or two some day. You all keep me sane and mean the world to me.
~Suz~
5 comments:
Isn't it the truth. I know exactly what you mean about my real life contacts versus my cyber relationships. I occasionally have the nagging feeling that I am becoming a hermit but then again at the same time, it's not like I'm cutting myself off, just connecting in a different way, right? When I talk about my blogging habits at work I sort of get the thousand yard stare but..my life is so different from most people that I know, ie; not wrapped up in kids family. I feel like I've found a different way to connect albeit non traditional. Phew, glad I'm not the only one. As for the gifties, knitters are such a generous lot aren't they?
Suz, you are the opposite of me. Growing up, I cold make friends easily but few really knew me. One disadvantage of being a military brat. But I am happy to have you as a friend. And I like to share with you because you truly enjoy the gifts. You never expect them which makes them great.
With cyber friends, I think we are able to see the real person inside, that comes through our blogs and emails. Sometimes, the superficial in-person reltaionships never really develop to the point where you CAN get to know each other. I don't know if that makes sense. I value YOU as much, if not more, than some of my in-person friends. Because we have yet to meet just adds to the anticipation!
I know exactly what you mean, Suz. I don't know a single soul near where I live who enjoys the things I do. I feel so much closer to many of the folks I've met on the net. Could it have something to do with the fact that we GET each other?? We all have a deep shared interest - a passion.
I think that living in the area where we do it is hard sometimes to find people who have the same values I do, across the board. I also think the friend problems you describe are a part of the process of maturing. I too have had similar problems keeping friends I made from college years or various places I have lived or worked. I'm glad that I have made some of the connections with people recently. Maybe you have found such giving friends because you are so giving of yourself!
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