Online friendships. I didn't realize how deep and meaningful these friendships can be. I've found that some of my online friends are more reliable than a few real life friends.

I never knew that having a pet die could hurt so bad. I knew I would take the death of my 17-year old cat bad. What I wasn't prepared for was the deep, intense grief that's still with me now. It's just about the same as losing a family member.

I wonder if I'll ever be able to watch or read stories about 9/11 without crying. It's as fresh today for me as it was the day it happened. The shock is gone, but the sadness is stronger than ever. That surprises me. I thought it would have subsided somewhat by now.

I also never knew I was capable of feeling such hate and rage (towards the terrorists) until 9/11.

I never thought a website, such as SITCOMS ONLINE could be so addictive. Is TJ kidding with this or what? Enough already! It's like the Mafia. There's no getting out.

Politics. I was never strongly politically minded until after 9/11. I had always heard how hot a topic politics can be, but was surprised at just how destructive they are to friendships.

Aging doesn't bother me. I thought once I hit 40, that it would flip me out. It doesn't phase me. I always thought it would.

What doesn't surprise me is how a long marriage is so rewarding. Actually, when I fell in love with my husband back in 1983, who knew the feelings would just grow and intensify over the years.

I never knew how emotional I would get whenever I watch American Idol, especially this season! :lol:

Online friendships. I didn't realize how deep and meaningful these friendships can be. I've found that some of my online friends are more reliable than a few real life friends

Agreed.

Finding Jesus Christ in my life was something I can't begin to even tell you about. It was the most euphoric feeling to have him in my life. Whenever I feel down or scared, I turn to him and everything seems to get better, even if it was for a little while.

The love for a child is also something that has floored me. I always knew I loved my children, but when one of them got sick, it really brought out such strong emotions in me. Emotions I don't even have for my wife.

i too have feelings regarding 9/11. Unlike you Janice, I watch anything and everything related to that day. I feel I have to know more and more. That day was *no words to describe*. I was 7 months pregnant and laying in bed and seeing this occur live on television was terrible. knowing it was happening was terrible. I knew we as a country were in trouble when I saw that second plane crash into the building. At that point, I knew what we know now. No doubt abt it. Holding my stomach and wondering what kind of world I was bringing my unborn son into made me feel so sick and helpless.

Giving birth. No feeling like it in the world. Bringing a life into the world that depends on you for everything. No matter how bad the pain, it is well worth it.

9/11 is something I take personally. It seems if you live here on the east coast in the tri state area, everybody seems to know somebody that died that die. I see the trailers for United 93 and I get sick to my stomach. When I found out the other day that they were starting to rebuild Ground Zero, I was elated!

9-11 gets to me. I cannot watch anything about 9-11. Especially since I use to go to those towers and eat dinner, dance, work, shop. I go to my fathers gravesite and see 9-11 people buried nearby. :mad: :crying:

Another thing that surprised me is marriage. There are times when I want to throw in the towel. Especially since my husband is set in his ways. He is always late to go everywhere. He takes his sweet time with no care about anyone's feelings. He's also vain. He takes longer than me to dress. I'm saddened by the way he is. :(

Another thing that surprises me is how you give your life to your children and you get kicked up the rear. :(

The feeling of forgiveness. I have had to forgive a few people for terrible things they have done to me. I could have held a grudge. I could carry the weight on my shoulders. Instead, forgiving is the most awesome feeling. It takes the burden off, the weight off, whatever you want to call it. I just think of how our Lord asked his father to forgive those who "know not what they do". Although I know these people do know what they did, I will not carry the burden of hate in my heart. Let those people be dealt with. It feels great. I know when I talk abt the "past" to certain people, they are amazed at how I can just simply talk abt it with out any emotion or hatred. I simply tell them because of the forgiveness. If I didn't forgive, I would still be angry, vengeful, hating, and all of that would show. I would rather be able to speak of something bad without all that emotion tagged to it.

Okay, but not exactly a matter of life and death, but still something that surprised me.

I hate hardwood floors. We've lived here for almost two years now, and the entire house has new gleaming hardwood floors. They are beautiful, but a pain in the neck to keep looking nice. I've got area rugs, so it's vacuum here, dustmop here, Swiffer the floors.

I always figured I'd love hardwoods floors, but I hate it. I'd love them if I had a maid, lol. I miss my wall-to-wall carpet.

Okay, but not exactly a matter of life and death, but still something that surprised me.

I hate hardwood floors. We've lived here for almost two years now, and the entire house has new gleaming hardwood floors. They are beautiful, but a pain in the neck to keep looking nice. I've got area rugs, so it's vacuum here, dustmop here, Swiffer the floors.

I always figured I'd love hardwoods floors, but I hate it. I'd love them if I had a maid, lol. I miss my wall-to-wall carpet.


Ha ha ha!:lol: NOW you want to change the subjsect to something funny!*Would insert a playful rolling eyes smilie, but there are none, so is going to put the next best smilie.*:crazy:

Janice, you are such a good person. Thanks for being here for all of us.

Janice, you are such a good person. Thanks for being here for all of us.
Well, okay Chris. And I'm sure I speak for all when I say that we're glad you're here too. Glad you're back. :)

Well, okay Chris. And I'm sure I speak for all when I say that we're glad you're here too. Glad you're back. :)
Janice, you are going to make me cry. I don't know why I've been so sentimental lately...but sometimes in life, no matter how hard it is...you just have to be optimistic and look at the good things and appreciate them.

I never knew that I would become so obsessed with The Facts of Life.:lol:

Online friendships. I didn't realize how deep and meaningful these friendships can be. I've found that some of my online friends are more reliable than a few real life friends.

I agree with you totally on this one.

I don't know how this would tie in with feelings, but it sorta does, I guess.... People have surprised me. I mean, just when I think I understand a certain person's patterns or behaviors, sometimes they have surprised me when they say or do something that I would not expect from that person. I often have a shocking feeling when I experience a suprised feeling from certain individuals. I don't know if that makes any sense.

I don't know how this would tie in with feelings, but it sorta does, I guess.... People have surprised me. I mean, just when I think I understand a certain person's patterns or behaviors, sometimes they have surprised me when they say or do something that I would not expect from that person. I often have a shocking feeling when I experience a suprised feeling from certain individuals. I don't know if that makes any sense.

It makes sense. I have felt this at times too.

I don't know how this would tie in with feelings, but it sorta does, I guess.... People have surprised me. I mean, just when I think I understand a certain person's patterns or behaviors, sometimes they have surprised me when they say or do something that I would not expect from that person. I often have a shocking feeling when I experience a suprised feeling from certain individuals. I don't know if that makes any sense.

Indeed. :nod:

Yes, other people's feelings and actions have surprised me as well. Both of my parents became terminally ill in the summer of 2001, and died the following Spring, two months apart.

For 10 months, I was there every day for my parents, taking care of everything. They got so ill that they ended up in a nursing home, bedridden, side by side. It was a nightmare for them.

What surprised me was how some people just SUCK. People that my parents had been wonderful to (even their own grandson) didn't visit or rarely called. My husband's family, who knew my parents for 20 years, didn't bother. Only my stepdaughter and one sister-in-law visited them. My mother's brother saw her maybe twice. She had given him a lot of money and support for all his life.

I was also surprised at the kindness and compassion shown by others. Men who had worked with my father (though all retired) visited once a week. My father's doctor would visit and even attended his funeral service. One of my girlfriends would visit when I wasn't even there. An elderly neighbor would visit and bring baked goods. They weren't even close.

There were surprises all around -- some good, some bad.

When I learned that my grandfather died in a car crash in October last year, I was just stunned and then really became sad. It happened so suddenly and without warning I was really shocked.

When I visited my grandmother's house the first day since his accident, it was not the same. When I used to go there before, I would know that grandpa would be there and greeting us. I've been there twice since then and that feeling has since been diminished.

I feel really lucky because the last time I saw him was at my grandmother's 90th surprise birthday party. I did not want to go at first because the headmaster at my alma mater was having a going-away party that happened to fall on around the same date. My old counselor from that school encouraged me to go. I wound up having a lot of fun and getting to see one of my father's aunts, who would later pass on a few months afterwards. I also got to see another one of his aunts, who I had not seen in over 10 years (she would pass away in February this year) I would have never forgiven myself if I didn't go.

Well, for one I've never felt the way I feel about a certain person right now. So that's kind of weird.

Hearing my uncle died a few months ago.

Hearing my Gram was in the hospital last month. Thank God she was fine.

Yes, other people's feelings and actions have surprised me as well. Both of my parents became terminally ill in the summer of 2001, and died the following Spring, two months apart.

For 10 months, I was there every day for my parents, taking care of everything. They got so ill that they ended up in a nursing home, bedridden, side by side. It was a nightmare for them.

What surprised me was how some people just SUCK. People that my parents had been wonderful to (even their own grandson) didn't visit or rarely called. My husband's family, who knew my parents for 20 years, didn't bother. Only my stepdaughter and one sister-in-law visited them. My mother's brother saw her maybe twice. She had given him a lot of money and support for all his life.

I was also surprised at the kindness and compassion shown by others. Men who had worked with my father (though all retired) visited once a week. My father's doctor would visit and even attended his funeral service. One of my girlfriends would visit when I wasn't even there. An elderly neighbor would visit and bring baked goods. They weren't even close.

There were surprises all around -- some good, some bad.
I saw some of the same when my great grandmother was in the nursing home. There were quite a few people there that doted over her. I guess the real shock was this: there was this, I don't know if he was a CNA or what, but he worked there anyway. I never met the guy, but he doted over my gg a lot, even buying her outfits and stuff. Which doesn't sound like anything shocking, but the guy was gay...and my gg was a total bigot. I was shocked at how she really liked this guy despite the fact that he was gay. Maybe she didn't know it...lol

There were quite a few people there that doted over her. I guess the real shock was this: there was this, I don't know if he was a CNA or what, but he worked there anyway. I never met the guy, but he doted over my gg a lot, even buying her outfits and stuff. Which doesn't sound like anything shocking, but the guy was gay...and my gg was a total bigot. I was shocked at how she really liked this guy despite the fact that he was gay. Maybe she didn't know it...lol
That's very sweet, the kindness of strangers. It reminds me of something you'd see in a movie.

I've also seen the sadness of how a vibrantly happy woman who gave to everyone was forgotten when she became ill. No visitors... nothing. When she was vibrant she shared everything and gave to all but when she became ill she didn't even have one visitor. That is just plain sad. Everyone around her scattered. :(

I have relaized that I literally get hurt over the internet.................. I get sad and angry on some websites., even though they don't know me in real life. When I'm doing my chores, I feel emotional pain when I think of what people have said to me on the intenet. I also realized that you can love people over the internet.................. I love my online friends.

I have relaized that I literally get hurt over the internet.................. I get sad and angry on some websites., even though they don't know me in real life. When I'm doing my chores, I feel emotional pain when I think of what people have said to me on the intenet. I also realized that you can love people over the internet.................. I love my online friends.
It's hard when people say unkind words or make fun of someone, online or off. Unfortunately Janice, I think that you often set yourself up with some of your threads and posts. You probably don't realize it, but you do that.

Don't give anyone any ammunition to use against you. If you're ever in doubt and wonder if a thread will backfire on you, send me a PM first, and I can give you my opinion or help you with the wording. :)

I have relaized that I literally get hurt over the internet.................. I get sad and angry on some websites., even though they don't know me in real life. When I'm doing my chores, I feel emotional pain when I think of what people have said to me on the intenet. I also realized that you can love people over the internet.................. I love my online friends.
I've done that too. No one likes to be called names and be made fun of, even if it is just words on a screen.

I have relaized that I literally get hurt over the internet.................. I get sad and angry on some websites., even though they don't know me in real life. When I'm doing my chores, I feel emotional pain when I think of what people have said to me on the intenet. I also realized that you can love people over the internet.................. I love my online friends.

I'm sorry you sometimes feel that way Janice. The internet can certainly be a harsh and blunt world at times. Anyway, If I ever said anything to make you feel bad, I sincerely apologize. You seem like a cool person, and I enjoy reading your posts!! You're a huge contributer to these boards!!! :)

I have relaized that I literally get hurt over the internet.................. I get sad and angry on some websites., even though they don't know me in real life. When I'm doing my chores, I feel emotional pain when I think of what people have said to me on the intenet. I also realized that you can love people over the internet.................. I love my online friends.
I'm sorry you've been hurt Janice and if I did anything to make you feel worst I apologize. I've had that happen to me and it feels awful. What got to me was your Multiple user names. I know you did it all in fun but people can get hurt . That's happened to me before. You think you're talking to one person and then it hits you that you've been decieved. It really hurts especially when it's a friend that's doing it. I hope everything turns out alright for you at those other boards. You are right, it is possible to have real feelings for your online friends. :)

I kept hearing stories about teens committing suicide, and how hard the family/school/community took it after that particular teen died. Little did I know that somebody in my own family would take his life. That happened back in November of 2004, the week of Thanksgiving. That was the ABSOLUTE WORST WEEK of my life. Ever. Thanksgiving was ****ty, and the funeral was the day right after Thanksgiving.

It was very sudden...No warning. Nothing. He was doing just fine. Spending all these hours in the ICU wing at the hospital went by painfully slowly. I am thankful I got to say goodbye to him one last time, before he was taken off life support.

I barely cried at the funeral home, and I barely cried during the funeral services, but started bawling like a baby when we went to the cemetery.

I still have recurring flashbacks of that horrible night he took his life, and it'll be with me for the rest of my life. He was two months shy of 17, and I had just turned 19 a few months prior.

I really, Really, REALLY hope everybody else here NEVER has to experience the loss of a loved one in the family to suicide. The pain is undescribable. It's been one and a half years since it happened, and I'm still dealing with it.

When I first started forming friendships with people online, I was surprised how attached I really became to these people, I'd never thought I could become so fond of people, on the computer. :D

When I first started forming friendships with people online, I was surprised how attached I really became to these people, I'd never thought I could become so fond of people, on the computer. :D
Yeah, same here. I didn't really get on to make friends, but I did.

I've done that too. No one likes to be called names and be made fun of, even if it is just words on a screen.i had the same problem at one site too i cant believe how angry i got i mean i just was so hurt and angry i called these people every name in the book and used words that i rarely if ever use in my own home let alone on a website