A URL leads to a site unknown, where typed words are flying fast.

Uncertainty crosses in the back of your mind.  “What am I doing here”?

Among the words reads “Welcome, how are you” and the journey begins.

A journey, that will change your life and others forever. 

Real people snicker, “how can there be friendship without contact”?

Contact is in the mind of the beholder.  Bonding is in the heart and soul. 

Hours upon hours of laughter, silliness, sounds, music and heartache transform the ordinary life into an adventure.

Hearing of places and journey’s belonging to one shared by all.

Highs and lows transformed into typed words supported, cherished and humanized by those who share.

Anticipation--the waiting for the telephone to ring.  A voice replaces the typed words.  A feeling of breath-holding relief, as the two faceless nicknames mesh into reality.  The bond grows stronger.  The laughter and sorrow in the typed words now unifies into a bond beyond the computer.

The meeting--oh God, nerves endings are tingling and sending unwanted message to the brain, disappointment, fear, what ifs race through the passageways.  The voice calls.  You turn and there is the one who knows so much of your soul.  More than real friends do.  A smile, a hug-- joy, the bond is now complete and you know your life is enriched far beyond those first typed words.   A true and lasting friend emerges from the safety of trusting your secrets to words you typed (as it was easy to confess to a person you never stood face to face to and looked into their eyes as the secrets unfolded).

The eyes now say “I understand, I accept and I will hold you dear.  The shared words will be ours and we will take them where ever we go. 

A phone call, an email, time slows and life stops.  The passing is not accepted.  The brain numbs and refuses the truth.  A soul mate is lost, the typed word stilled, never to be seen again on your screen Nooooooooooo.

Emails fly throughout the country.  Comfort, sorrow, disbelief, hearts reaching out thru fingers typing memories, laughter and good times spent, to ease the pain all feel.

Time heals all-- such an empty phrase right now.  Time spent without, time spent to think, time spent in ways to ask why.  Time spent to reflect and realize that the first typed word will stay in your heart for eternity and it will go with you when you hear the familiar voice saying “Welcome, how are you?  I was waiting for you”.