Your on-line friends want to know, leave instructions

My heart was heavy this morning when I read two post, on a fishing forum I am a member of, one asking where a community member was and the other a eulogy and death announcement for him.

We develop a community in these on-line forums and the friendships become real relationships. I would go as far as to say we learn to love people we have never met or may never meet. I wonder how many of us live secret lives on these forums. Does anyone close to you know how to log on or leave a post? This became real to me in 2009 when I was shot in a hunting accident and nearly died. I had very close friends on a hunting forum and they noticed my absence and no one knew how to check on me. When I finally got back on line I received a beautiful welcome home and so many virtual hugs I was physically moved.

Here is my request: Share your log in information with someone close to you and let them know what you want shared. Ask them to keep your friends on line updated, when your not able. The virtual community is awesome in these forums and the support is often more than your physical world friends offer. I have even considered writing some good-by letters and leaving them in an envelope with "open at my death" on them. Included would be intructions to my on-line families.

Can't respond to this any better than well put Buckeye. You made some very good points and opened some eyes. Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.