Hi everyone!:-)

Today when thinking about those of us involved in the Virtual Hospice forum and our various stories and needs, it made me appreciate how wonderful it is that we live in such a time of technical advancement with so many opportunities to give and receive support – virtually.

Pondering how very isolated I felt when my Mom was ill and I was much younger, I see now the hope and positive direction the world is taking us in terms of social supports. I love social media and the Internet and our ability to find one another, no matter how rare is our circumstance, no matter how alone we may at times feel, there is always someone “out there” who will understand our need.

Strangers become fast friends in a forum such as Virtual Hospice. I don’t know if it because of the anonymity we may choose to shield ourselves from being exposed to those we know and love, but I do find that being able to express my thoughts and feelings in a supportive and non-judgmental environment is extremely helpful. Families and friends mean well, but sometimes the objective input we receive from those who don’t know us in our personal lives reaches us more directly. Sometimes we can say among “strangers” what is nearly impossible to share with those intimately involved in our lives. There is less pressure.

Here in this online community we need not accommodate anything but the truth, and in our lives the truth of how we are feeling is important and needs an outlet of expression and acceptance. Sometimes it feels simply too painful to share our deepest thoughts with those we love most.

For me, having a safe place to talk and listen to others about life from beginning to end allows me the chance to feel I am lightening the emotional burden of my feelings for those in my own inner circle of family and friends. Please don’t get me wrong, I think that our closest relationships provide us with unequalled love, comfort and support, but there are moments and specific times in our lives, certain circumstances where the kindness of strangers is just what we need.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I believe there is a time and place for everything, and I am so grateful to share my time in this special place with all of you.

How do you feel about virtual strangers? Are we transformed by the experience we share online? Do you consider those you relate to online as real friends?

Cath1

I am very happy to have found this forum.  As a hospice volunteer, I find that no one - not even my family who love me - fully "get" what we are doing and experiencing. 

When I am at the hospice, I do all of my "thinking" with my heart.  Try to explain this to someone (most people) who listen with their head.

Trying to explain the experience is like trying to condense 1,000,000 into 1,000.

As far as “opening up” to people in a forum such as this, I am reminded of the quote by Blanche DuBois in the “Streetcar Named Desire” where she says: "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."

There is a phenomena of life wherein, from time to time, we come upon a compassionate stranger to whom we “open up”.  It can be a cathartic and even life-altering moment. 

We are very fortunate to be blessed with this opportunity in our times of need.  We can re-pay Karma by leaving ourselves open to the needs of others when the time comes.