Meme Has Actually Made Me Think

[teddy_radiator]

Awhile ago, I was reading Droxy's meme, and she and others commented about RL friends vs. LJ friends, and how really, there is no difference. While it is true I have friends and acquaintances here in Teddyworld, the real life friends I have are here, my precious LJ family. I simply cannot go a day without knowing you are all well and doing okay, or not so well and want to rant. Either way, I'm always glad to see you.

The comments regarding RL friends have never hit home so hard as they did today. My best friends, K and hubby Dominant Bri (he of the retrieved chapter 20 of LML fame) have just told us they are having to move 2 1/2 hours away into Georgia, in order for K to start a program so that she can get her MD residency next year. They have worked so hard this last year, and went through their life savings to try to hold on here, but they will have to move. They know that this next year is going to be so difficult they may have to be homeless at times. It is a terrible situation for them, but one they have to experience. I won't go into all the gory details, but suffice to say this is going to be the most life-defining year of a marriage of several life-defining years. They are tough, resilient, and uncomplaining. They are masters of turning lemons into lemonade, and even they are frightened of what this next year will bring. If they can survive, everything will be great, but this will be a dreadful year for them, and aside from helping them move and sending them occasional care packages, there's sweet FA we can do for them.

We are heartbroken. Aside from everyone here on LJ, they are the only couple we socialise with who 'get' us at all. We can talk to them about anything, and they are completely open, nonjudgemental and the most generous-hearted people on the planet. In other words, the type of friends who are as rare as rocking horse shit.

K was the person who encouraged me to read fanfiction; she literally is the reason I'm typing this now, and her encouragement has been immediate and loving. She and Bri were faithful customers at the Tea Room, and the type of people you could call in the middle of the night and they'd be there before you hung up the phone.

Now, hopefully, K will be more of an LJ friend (she has an account but isn't too active), and I will be able to keep up with me here, because she will hardly ever get to come back and visit. I'm so upset, but it just reminds me that here is my real home, in so many ways.

Many of you are closer to me than my own family. droxy , irishredlass69 , bulletimescully , andyissadangel , and so many others I'm too discombobulated to mention (and I apologise for leaving you out),  you have been encouragement personified.  sempraseverus , mimimanderly , justpinkpastel , you are the sisters I never had.

I'm losing a sister soon, and I mean losing her. She is going to be working so hard keeping her head above water she will not have time for trivialities, and I totally understand it, but she is too precious, and I will miss her beautiful soul and lovely self giving me hugs and kisses.

Thank you for being there when I come home from helping her move on with her life.

Comments

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

My heart goes out to you and your friends. Hopefully this next year won't be as aweful as they fear. I'll keep them in my prayers.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, beffey - again, you are one of those persons I unfortunately left off my list. Thank you so much for being so encouraging to me.

I am afraid for them, purely because they have been through so much, and this time they just don't seem to be mentally bolstered enough for it.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

Go K and Bri, they are doing what they must for The Dream. The truth is most folks are a few paychecks away from the abyss. I was staring into the abyss for 9 months, living off all my savings and trying to get a job. The end result is I had to go to India or lose it all. That abyss set up many defining points and decisions in my life, such as beign on the road for the next 5 years. These are hard decisions, and decsions I didnt want to make, but that's life. Life is not always good. I really want life to be better than average. I want it good again. Then sometimes you just cant fix it, it is as good as its going to get.

But if K gets on LJ, that will be good. There is also skype and voice chat.

Atlanta may be her best option, it's loaded with hospitals and what not.

-hugs you-

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

They've been through so much, and they loved living here, and it's sad to see them go. It is exactly what you said, one of those cases of "I have to face the abyss because I have no choice." She has got to get a residency soon, and it's just been so difficult.

[sandlappershell.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this will help, but one of our local Doctors just went to Charlotte to take over all the Residents in the hospital system there...her hubby is on the Tourism Commission with me and just for another option, I can always drop him a line and ask if they have openings there...Charlotte isn't quite as far away from where they are 'home' and the cost of living isn't as harsh...you let me know if I can be of help. I will be praying for them, for sure...I certainly know what it is to have to pick up stakes because you have no real choice...Hope you survived our horrid weather tonight! Was rough there for a while, but man are we BLESSED that it hasn't been worse...hugs to you!

[justpinkpastel.livejournal.com]

This is heartbreaking. I am so sorry that this situation has come up, but at the same time, I am so happy that she was able to find a residency.

While I know it's not the same as someone right there with you, we are always here for you, whenever you may need us.

As I was reading this I was listening to the song "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera and it just seemed so fitting.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank goodness you are here, K. I am already starting to feel scared about job hunting myself, so I can sense a lot of sleepless nights coming on.

[clairvoyant.livejournal.com]

Indeed heartbreaking news for you and your friends. But these days, you gotta do what you gotta do to survive and thrive. You are blessed with a rich network of friends on LJ, Teddy. Don't despair.

*hugs*

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon. I am blessed more than I can say. I just worry for them. This will be the most difficult year of their lives, and I wish I could do something to make it easier, but hey, both the Hubs and I are unemployed, and the money we have won't last forever, so we'll be job hunting soon, and I'm nervous too. I just hate I can't do more for them.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Just as with our Muses... even though they are not with us in the physical sense, they are still with us and we are close to them, so it is with our friends on LJ. We may not be in each other's physical proximity, but we are as close emotionally and mentally as people can ever be. I bless K for setting the ball in motion that brought you to us. Perhaps she has played her part in your life and will go on now to continue with her path. Perhaps you two will still be close online friends. Only time will tell. But we are all here for you and love you. And THAT is real.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

It is real, indeed. I know that she and Brian have a very specific path to tread, and perhaps my time with her on that path has done and we are to go our separate ways. I know that where I am now is a lovely, long straight road for me, so I can smile through the tears knowing that, even for a little while, we walked a fine road together, she and I.

You are so dear to me, and as close as a sister. I feel your love daily, and it is as close as my own heartbeat. As Sempra said the other night, I wish we were all closer physically, because we would have too much fun!

PS - Speaking of fun, did you have a good day today?

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! I'll e-mail you about it tomorrow morning. It was cathartic in many ways.

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

If I understood you well enough to leave a coherent, helpful comment I would. Just giving support. The best to you.

[blueartemis07.livejournal.com]

~hugs~

[m-mcgonagall-65.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry your friends have to move so far away and face such challenges. I've been there, and it can be a long haul with a lot of work. I hope it works out well for them.

And I'm sorry you're feeling sad to lose the close contact with them. We'll be here for you.

[bulletimescully.livejournal.com]

My heart goes out for your friends, and I wish them the best! God bless her for bringing you to the fandom so that we all have the wonderful privilege of knowing you. I truly don't know what I would do if I had to uproot my family and move. I've lived in the same place my entire life, and even though I want to travel to world and see everything there is to see, this place is home. More power to your friend (and anyone else) for being able to make such a life-changing (but ultimately good, I hope) decision. Have no fear though... true friends never really leave you. *hugs*

[melusin-79.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear this. I hope everything works out well for all concerned - and as others have said, there are plenty of ways of keeping in touch.

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry your friend is going away.

I know what you mean about the very real friendships forged here.

[talesofsnape.livejournal.com]

Hugs you like mad!

[andyissadangel.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your friends going away. But that is the way of life. I hope that both of them will endure this year without too much stress, and worries.

And you, my dear friend, I hope that you will be able to help them as much as you can. Sometimes even knowing that there is a person who you can count on (even if it is 2 1/2 hours away) is there, and will do anything to help you. And even one encouraging word or just plain hug from that person helps. I believe that you are a person who keeps her friends close, and that you'll do your best to help them.

And I also hope that you and Hubs will find great jobs soon, so you'll be able to visit them =)
*hugs*
- BlueRavenAngel