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[turps]

Yesterday I asked for good thoughts for the passing of one of our own.

This morning Lucy peacefully passed away.

I didn't know her when she was writing as Mona Ramsey, she was Reggie when I first joined popslash way back in the day. While our main fandoms had changed we stayed mutually friended, and she was a person that was always there on my flist. She was an amazing woman and she's going to be a huge miss, especially to her friends.

It made me think today. I've been on LJ for a very long time, I've been reading some people on my flist for many, many years, I've watched families grow, people go through school and jobs, change fandoms, live their lives and share them online. One of the first pictures I shared of Corey on here was taken at his reception class at school. Now next term he's doing his GCSEs. Many of you have watched him grow too, and while we may never physically meet live journal and the internet have entwined our lives. Sometimes only for a while, other times much longer.

Many people pour scorn on online friendships, talking about predators and axe murderers and so many other negative things, and I say screw that. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but you guys. You're all stars. Thank you for sharing your time.

Comments

[turlough]

I'm so sad about Lucy. As I said yesterday, we didn't have each other friended any longer but occasionally someone would refer something she'd said in her journal and it was nice just knowing she was there. Being fun and thoughtful and helpful. And now she isn't. It's strange.

I hate those people who act as if the internet isn't part of the real world. Who thinks that the friendships we forge here are somehow lesser than those you might have off line. Maybe it is that way for them but in that case I pity them, their internet life must be so shallow and boring. *squishes you a lot*

[turps]

It is strange thinking she's gone. This is the second person to die suddenly on my flist this year. Both such horrible things.

I think a lot of people see internet friendships as very casual, and some are, but so many are much more than that.

I know you and many others are very important to me.

[frausorge]

<3333333 *smishes*

[turps]

Right back at you ♥

[adelate]

I didn't know her well, but we crossed friendslists at some point some years back and I've just been crying on and off since I heard about this today. I can't believe how hard it has to be for those of you who knew her better. [hugs]

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It was so sudden. I can't even imagine how hard it must be for her very close friends.

[maryangel200.livejournal.com]

♥ I love you.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I love you too.

I'm very glad we friended one another.

[egelantier.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Thank you ♥

[dine.livejournal.com]

thanks for saying this - it's really amazing what a strong community we've built, despite the naysayers and sometimes never meeting our very good friends in person.
*hugs*

[turps33.livejournal.com]

The community has been there for me so often, and for so many others.

That is an amazing thing <3

[sunsetmog.livejournal.com]

Thank you for making this post, bb. ♥

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It's something that's been on my mind. So many people have been touched by Lucy, and it just shows how important these friendships are.

[withdiamonds.livejournal.com]

I love you, Terri, and this post.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

And I love you too ♥

[raffie79.livejournal.com]

*hugs tight* I didn't know her, but I'm really really sorry and I'm sending virtual support to you and all the people who did.
♥ Your words are so right, I met lots of special people online, my gf included. Thank you for making me think as well.
<3 more hugs

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It's always good to remember the ones that you love.

♥

[digital-diva.livejournal.com]

What Donna said.

♥

[turps33.livejournal.com]

*smooches you*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bettina_/]

Many people pour scorn on online friendships, talking about predators and axe murderers and so many other negative things, and I say screw that. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but you guys. You're all stars. Thank you for sharing your time.

Yes. This! Online friendships aren't less real than those in the "real world" and we feel the loss just as much. My thoughts go out to all of Lucy's friends.

I didn't know that she used to write under the name of Mona Ramsey. I remember reading her stuff back then. And of course I loved her The Center series.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Online friendships aren't less real than those in the "real world" and we feel the loss just as much

Exactly. They're both just as important.

She wrote so many wonderful stories in so many fandoms. She touched the lives of many.

[sperrywink]

You know how I feel about you and online friendships. ♥

Lucy seemed like a great fan and person.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I do. ♥ Always.

She was. I feel so bad for her close friends.

[tempore.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad her passing was peaceful.

And I too, am so fiercely glad for you and all of my friends on here. It's a good reminder to be grateful, even if the event which inspired it is so very sad.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

She got to come home before she died. I'm glad about that.

Online friendships are beautiful things. I'm very glad that you're here too.

[madambeetroot.livejournal.com]

I didn't know your friend, but I am very sorry for your loss, and that of everybody else who knew her. She sounds to have been a special person.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

We were never especially close but she was a person who'd been there for a really long time. I always enjoyed her posts, she'll be a miss.

[cynthia-arrow.livejournal.com]

I didn't know Lucy, but I'm so sorry you lost one of your friends. I'm always guilty of using the phrase "one of my internet friends," as if they aren't real relationships, but the fact is many of us are in each other's lives -- everyday and when the going get touch -- the same way our close local friends are. I'm sure your long-distance friend will be missed.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I'm guilty of the same thing, and I shouldn't do it because I have people who're so important to me, the fact I may never physically meet them doesn't change that at all.

[ephemera.livejournal.com]

**hugs**

I don't think I ever had more than a feedback-on-The-Centre-thank-you type conversation with her, but she was - is - so dear to so many of my dear friends, the ache is palpable.

Friendship is friendship, medium be damned.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Friendship is friendship, medium be damned.

That's so true.

*hugs you*

[soul4poetry.livejournal.com]

I didn't know her well, but i'm so sad for those close to her. My lj friends are the most amazing people and i truly have to thank them for my sanity. Love you much.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

We're so lucky to have such good friends. Love you too, and I'm so glad you're still around on my flist.

[call-me-loca.livejournal.com]

Many people pour scorn on online friendships

Those are the ones missing out on LIFE. It's not about the white picket fence or the hefty bank account. It's about the people who will post ridiculous pcitures to your blog just to make you smile. It's about the people half way across the world who put a little spoon in the mail to make sure you know they care. It's about cheering aech other on when they lose a pound or two, or find out they don't have to take a certain medication any more. It's about laughter when you realize your life would SUCK without them in it.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Yes! That's it right there.

When I mention to people about meeting friends from online I always get the axe murderer line, or am asked why I go to these meet ups. They don't get that these people are friends. People who've been there when I was sad or sent stuff just because.

We're all so lucky to have that.

[babycakesin.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm sorry about your friend - it seemed so sudden...

And thanks about what you said about the online friendships - I agree with you. Hell, you guys probably know more about me than most of my RL friends! And honestly, I don't what I'd do without my online friends - with all my moving around, you guys are the most efficient support group I could have hoped for! *hugs*

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It was sudden. A matter of weeks from first feeling ill to the end.

Hell, you guys probably know more about me than most of my RL friends!

Same here. Online friends are amazingly supportive. I know my life wouldn't be the same without you guys.

[mickeym.livejournal.com]

*hugs you tight* Our kids have practically grown up together, haven't they? We've shared so much of each others' lives and yet still internet/fannish friendships get dismissed by those on the outside as "not real".

Shows what they (don't) know, doesn't it?

*hugs you some more* Love you, honey.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

They have. I was thinking about that too, I remember you posting a picture of Matthew when he was much younger, and now he's nearly all grown up.

I hate when online friendships are dismissed, I've had so much support from people online, and I know that's the same for nearly everyone out there. Our community has it's bad points, but the good far out weighs those.

*hugs you hard* love you too.

[chrismm.livejournal.com]

*hugs you hard*

[turps33.livejournal.com]

*clings*

[truekat.livejournal.com]

Wow! You said all of that so beautifully! And THIS is why I've come back to LJ! It IS home! It's where I feel comfortable! It's where I have friends who accept me as I am. Nobody makes fun because I'm older. No one criticizes me because I'm overweight. Everyone accepts me even if I'm stuck in a time warp of *NSYNC time! I don't get picked on for saying how much I adore JC Chasez! This is where I feel like there's someone who really does care and does read what I write and does listen to my laughter, tears, jokes, and problems! Online is not all horrible! Here in LJ we've proven that! Thank YOU for sharing your space with us, and for being there FOR us! I'm so glad you put this in here! :)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

This. So much this.

I know I can say things here and there'll be people who'll listen. It doesn't matter if it's the most shallow of fannish thing or something deeply personal, they'll be there.

Our community is a good one, and some of my best friends are from online. People who don't understand that, well they're the ones missing out.

[spasticat.livejournal.com]

Hugs to you and all of her friends and family.

Your post was so eloquent and true. Our online family is a good one and it goes through ups and downs and today's been a very down one. :(

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's been a down one for a lot of people.

You especially, but again, people rally round. Those are true friends.

[tara]

:( Lucy and I were never friends, but I talked to her a few times and loved some of her fic, so it's sad to hear this news, especially as it was all so sudden, by the look of her journal. I hope you're holding up okay <3

[turps33.livejournal.com]

It really was sudden. One minute she was okay and then it all seemed to go downhill so rapidly. It's scary.

I'm okay, but I ache for her close friends.

[castalie.livejournal.com]

That's such sad news... but at least she was home when she passed away, surrounded by people who loved her? That's something to cling to in sad times. My thoughts go to her family and friends.

And I love you right back, sis.

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I'm glad she got to come home. That's a comforting thought.

I love you right back.