My Imaginary Friends

The internet plays a large part in my life. I've been online now for a while, however it's really only played such a big part in the last 4 years. People find the internet a sad and scary place, but the reality for me is that a good chunk, probably around 70%, of my friends... are online. AKA Imaginary friends (thanks Cuntifer for that saying).

Yup, that's right, Mel, the mad woman with imaginary friends! There are lots of reasons why I like my imaginary friends. I'm not a phone person, I hate talking on the phone. With imaginary friends it's not necessary. I'm shy around new people, online I can be the outgoing person I am most of the time without the stuttering, and awkward silences. I don't know about you, but I tend to be more open when I am typing away to someone, as opposed to sitting down with them. When it comes to personal, upsetting stuff, it's easier to type it away while you use a box of tissues up. Not so easy to sit down with a coffee and blurt out your life problems, end up in tears which is often embarrassing. Also, you don't need to organise visits around naps, and illness, and kids crazy days! I like that even when Eli was up all night screaming, or Ashton spent the last 2 days with his head in a bucket, that I can sit down with a hot chocolate and log on to have a nice chat with my imaginary friends. Even at 3am, there is always someone on the other side of the screen, from all corners of the world.

But the absolute most important reason I love my imaginary friends, is that they are just awesome! They are all sorts of people, from all backgrounds. They raise their families in all different ways. They have had many different life experiences, and lots of great advice to go with those experiences. They are supportive, and loving. They are always there to offer a cyber hug, no matter how stupid the reason for being upset. They don't judge, even when they don't agree. They are beautiful, inside and out, and they all absolutely rock my world! From the words that hit home, to the stories that make me cry. From the surprise packages, to the presents that really touched me. From the virtual hugs, to the virtual slaps. I admire, cherish and love each and every one of you.

My imaginary friends have got me through a lot of downs, and bounced in their computer chairs with me through the ups. When I've had problems and questions that I haven't been comfortable asking someone in person, there was always someone to listen on the other side of the keyboard. I large chunk of my imaginary friends have become not so much imaginary, I have been lucky to meet a lot of them in the last few years.

So to all my wonderful imaginary friends, I love you. But you already knew that!