I believe that most of us choose friends, both in real life, and online, who are lively minded, like-minded, engaging people. The Internet opens up a whole new world, and we get to meet people that we would otherwise never meet, from near and far. We get to meet people with amazingly similar interests, senses of humor, passionate viewpoints, etc. Some of these friends might be spread wide, geographically, but that does not diminish that special bond of friendship.
However, I have come to realize that friends do come and go, and that’s okay. People come into our lives at different times, for different reasons. Some stay awhile, and some cross your path for a short time. Some join you and walk a parallel path and even while the paths appear far apart, you still walk the same direction and maintain a distant friendship. Then, there are some who bring only negative or destructive energy into your life. I, personally, try to keep my life clear from this kind of negative influence. Yet, there is something to be gained from every experience. There’s something to be learned from each and every person we meet in life. Positive, or negative, I am grateful for whatever that person taught me.
We can’t hold on to friends, all we can do is to let the friendship take its course, whatever that course may be. If the friendship ends, we can be grateful for the time, and move on. There are a few that have left abruptly for reasons that I do not know of. Some I’ve known for a long time, and this, in particular, has left me feeling bewildered, and even a little hurt. I wish that we could have had a discussion about whatever it was that caused such an abrupt termination of what I thought was a friendship. But, evidently, this was not to be; thus I’ve moved on. May all that is good and wonderful in life be yours…I really do wish you well.
To my friends that are still with me, I do appreciate your friendship. I very much enjoy reading your blogs, and the interacting back and forth between friends. Thank you for the very distinct pleasure of getting to know each and every one of you! Now within the first weekend of October may we “stream” ahead within out thoughts within a manner that is from which is wrote above and the bonds that are achieved I find to be rather precious.
Your friend,
Jack
Its the friends that leave footprints in your heart that remain steady no matter the distances or the silences. I have one particular friend ... we connect periodically ... nothing regular ... but when we do ... its like we were never apart!
ReplyDeleteI heard a saying the other day and it kind of rings true ... there is a reason that someone is no longer a part of your present ... they were the lesson for the past.
Here's to steaming ahead ~smile~ and Huggs ....
Ironic as I have one friend which I grew up with since the 4th grade - I kid you not and we will keep in touch mind you right now he just married a nice Haitian lady, but this is a good stream, a very worthy write which was my intention.
ReplyDeleteThanks much Lynne...
We all have found friends here online that we would love to meet in person but the distance is to great. Thank God for the technology that we can greet each day with these friends from afar.
ReplyDeleteThis is true and the in some manner there is a great dialogue that seems to appear Bill. I awoke early this morning as my hopes are to capture a good sunrise, and I am 3,000 miles west of you although I have been through your state several times within the past.
ReplyDeleteWe don't meet everyone but there is a unique bond that comes to be within friends and thoughts and within shares. Lynne actually made mention of it best but it's tremendous to just have that morning coffee and enjoy the writes from a variety of people, places but most of all friends in which we come to encounter.
A good morning there to you. Jack.
friends are there.in good and bad times.
ReplyDeleteFriends are there and always at your side even when there is distance :).
ReplyDelete"The truth of friendship is not in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor in the joy of companionship; it's in the knowing that someone else believes in you ....."
ReplyDeleteI always would say "you know", as that really was what I meant within the context of the dialogue..
ReplyDeleteIt buffles me how friendships really put together different personalities, jibed together ... laughs, shake hands. You are right, there's this special bond aquired thru' days, months, and years ... though you don't actually see each others, even if i just thru' writings ... a good morning there Jack :)
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ReplyDeleteA good day with ~ sunshine ~...
I enjoy immensely the new connections and friends that I have met and are connected on this site. It is amazing how we all connect, similar interests, learning, sharing, so many things. I thank everyone and appreciate everyone of my friends here that touch my life and you all do in some way.. Thank you for your words Jack.. I enjoy reading what you have to say. Have a wonderful day my friend.. Bless you in all things.. :-)
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, by the way I forgot.. I love the photograph in which you posted.. Wow,, what a presence it makes.. It is powerful.. Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteI find that I can be a friend even when that person walks away, it is the same with love. Our feelings do not have a shut off valve on them. What we can do is realize others have to make their own choices and we have to respect them. What I feel is that if and when they are ready to open themselves to renew our friendship or realize my love for them was never lost, I am here.
ReplyDeleteyou have a great gift for photography Jack thanks for the picture
ReplyDeleteJack, I had a friend on here that I thought was a true friend. She was my first friend here on Multiply. We even sent gifts, cards to each other via snail mail. Well, she deleted me back in June, with no reason. I was left feeling sad, wondering what I had done or said, knowing that I had done nothing to cause this, I just had to let it go. It's her choice, & I know that I'm still the same person I always was.
ReplyDeleteLife is about the choices we make and the people we come in contact through out our everyday lives. Back in 94' I meant a man not a year older than me. I thought he was someone I could trust, but instead he was just using me. He would make fun of me by imitating the way I talked. He would even go beyond that by making fun of people who are severely disabled. Such was one day in the city of El Cajon I used to live from 97'-03' before I lived here in La Mesa. He pretended to have cererabal palsy by walking up to the bus. The driver a man was actually ready to let thim on the bus and then this ex friend of mine walked away laughing knowing what he done was nothing to him and that it was all fun and games. Well the look the driver gave me is why are you hanging around with such a person as that. One who treats others unkindly. So one day I told him straight out either you change and stop making fun of me and others or you can find yourself another friend. Well he didn't change and I know longer have any contact what so ever with this person. I was a decision that I'm proud of myself I made.
ReplyDeleteDawn I kid you not there I really have as well enjoyed a few new friends including yourself and a few others that have come into my sphere. There literally have been as mentioned some very hard times as well as great times and within that human condition within the writes as mentioned it's been something that I almost just dropped it all and I certainly am gratefully especially during this time and the understanding while one is going through things medically.
ReplyDeleteI never have been on here to this extent but to me I really do feel great as there have in the past been some pretty significant things done just by way of writes with not just one but with the interested involved those friends on here. I don't know any other manner to say nor indicate how I feel with the exception of what I posted when I woke up this morning at 2:45am.
I could write and write and write on this but I hope that most all do understand my sincere intentions. And I don't intend to be on here as much as I am as the funny police are going to come get me sooner than later :).
~ You got a Friend ~
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason why when I bought my first digital camera, I went to one place here to test out how well the camera worked as it was a organ pipes that are one of a kind within this city which has a duplicate place in Chicago. When I thought of what to place on, I figured I would place on something that was of what I took for the very first time with a digital camera. I kid you not....
I know you can as I did Tee. I literally did leave, before that we had differences of opinions but it was all good mind you I know someone that was a great advisor amongst a few when the chips were down. Guess what here name was? FOR IT WAS YOU! Certainly there are others but each person is different and one comes to realize that we all don't have to conform to ones own ideals maybe it's more of an understanding. Yeah I am sure you get ticked off with me at times, and I will look at your page at times and move on but then there are those times in which there truly is something and the valve just opens up. Again could write much more with regards to you Tee.
ReplyDelete(Remember the testimonials of Y360 - perhaps there is a way in bringing them back on here).
~ I am here as well ~
ReplyDeleteWithin my next life :) I wish to be a photographer. I kid you not it would be a marvel Tee it really would.
I understand where your coming from Cath. I will write as it's a positive thing but would take up much too much space.
ReplyDeleteYour saying let the last month go and move on....I am and have and offline am as well but as you know I am healing with some medical matter with the knees as well as these two teeth being extracted well............it was the last thing I needed and I have a root canal coming up. So there is much going on within my life and this really in many ways is not an addiction, it's been I can't explain what it has been and I would get on the mic right now however the tooth dental work from Friday brought me home.
Life indeed is about choices. Each person on this face of the earth has them Gary and how we make our choices is how we live. You should be proud of this and Gary I think there are several factors to consider and I really feel good about what I am doing, what I have done in the past, whom my mentors in life were.
ReplyDeleteI know what your saying and I say to you - Thank you. I don't believe in disabilities. What I mean is that I have seen people with disabilities do more and surprise so many. That is the gift of life and as well humanity. I think this book by Micheal J. Fox is worth the reading....:) I just bought it today! His father used to work for my father believe it or not before I was born. I kid you not. Again thanks and there are some very good folk such as yourself in here. Many so often will assume whom I am - they don't know the side of me that truly is one that does enjoy and care and well this is a very nice surprise in arriving home this afternoon and seeing all of this. Gary you have a friend there and this is a very decent story to say the least.
* I never found you as I do have done with most by way of searching and reading there blog - you were recommended by a mutual friend and I am glad that was done.
I too Jack I'm glad that friend of mine brough us together to comunicate with one another. You are a great inspression to those around you because you care and take the time to care. Hope your enjoying your weekend! God bless my friend! (Gary)
ReplyDeleteWow! I am very moved by the many beautiful comments here! Jack, you are indeed blessed having such caring, warm, and wonderful friends. I'm not at all surprised though, because it is said that our friends are often a reflection of who we are. Wonderful guy, wonderful friends! It's that simple, my dear friend. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm near tears here I'm so happy! Gary, I know what you went through with that "so-called" friend, & I'm proud of you for standing up for you! Jack, I'm so glad to call you my friend as well. And you can believe this when I say it,,,, Gary & I are true blue friends to the end, in us you have that my friend. Big Hugs to you both!!
ReplyDeleteI have had to let people go ( that i thought were friends) not much of a friend when you are doing all the giving and they are doing all the taking. I am happy to call you my friend:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie....literally this extracted area has been giving me a tad of troubles today and hopefully it shall pass. Julie you are a great friend. This is a bit much from you all but I am glad as well it's enjoyable to share. Mind you just Friday I had this extract so hopefully this pain killer will kick in. Not kidding. Thanks and love your boat! :)
ReplyDeleteTy jack..Hope you get to feeling better soon:)
ReplyDeleteYeah I literally I took a lay down for a while and hopefully this will resolve very shortly as this went right up there but it shall...
ReplyDeletewishing you the best!
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ReplyDeleteSmiling it almost sounds like RIP Arielle :)
I saw the sunset tonight looking through the doors at work. It was almost 7:30 PM when I was on my way back to the Bakery section to put away a cart that I had used to take out some of the items I needed to stock. I was blessed to have walked where I did in the store at just the precise moment to see the beautiful orange sky. I didn't think I'd get to see a sunset tonight with work and all. That my friend is how it is with the people who come into our lives. Usually friendships are not formed by searching for them but always just when it is meant to be just like it was meant for me to see that sunset tonight. The sunset is also a glorious ending to one day and the promise of another day to come if we are so blessed with another day of life. Some friendships are like the sunset,,they fade away into the night yet we are still blessed by what was. After the sunset on a clear evening you can see the stars in the sky and that is glorious as well. Have a goodnight, rest well . The day is passing quickly now but tomorrow holds new joys and strength for the sorrows that may be as well. Cherish what is good in life and encourage the ones you love in their gifts , embrace what is beautiful yet with freedom to grow . I like what you said "People come into our lifes at different times for different reasons " I am thankful for those who have come into my life as well. Some stay close friends , sometimes not . Have a goodnight. Very tired here after work .
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ReplyDeleteThanks and a good night to you Cheryl....there is much depth within this and people within life do come into our lives at most times at the most unexpected times. And you and I met on a day that was within Rememberance/Memorial Day if you recall....good night and all the best to your family.
I'm very moved by all the beautiful comments here, Jack! You are very blessed to have so many wonderful, and thoughtful friends. I'm not surprised though because a person's friends are a reflection of who they are. Simply put, a beautiful guy, beautiful friends! I'm so pleased to have met you! It is indeed a privilege, and a pleasure to call you friend. Hugs!
ReplyDeletevery beautifully written Jack and also very true for I also believe it it better to allow someone to take a different path if they feel the road has come to an end and remember then from time to time as a friend while rejoicing with everyone else I still share my time for blessed is them a friend
ReplyDeleteMaryanne, I was yesterday as well. This was one that there were some very nice people and it's good to see as this was the first in really seeing some very good folk and good friends such as yourself and as well with others. Literally I arrived home yesterday and then I read and my intention is not to be anything more than a good friend and I am still miffed if that is the right word when I come and open this one particular page. As this is riddled with authenticity. :) Hugs back to you there in NY.
ReplyDeleteYou are a gent that after I read your writes and blog the other evening I knew that there was something good and needless to say that is an understatement. I know you enjoy your privacy but you do have a friend. Pathways, we all have them and here again is choice...
ReplyDeleteThank you there from Australia, I believe you would like for me to leave your first name out so I shall do so. ~ Peace man ~
Jack it is fine with me if you call me Ken or Kenneth as everyone else does, my multiply name here is only a reflect of who I am in life, since we all need a multiply name I could actually find no better one to use funny thing is since I first introduce my multiply name many others have liked it so much they have well best thing for you to do is google it lol you will see :-))))
ReplyDeleteVery well Ken I wasnt sure how you felt about it...."FREESPIRE" is rather cool and very original.
ReplyDeleteSo from here on in it shall be Ken. :)