Tonight I am talking openly with you as I try to make sense of how to "cope" with a new (for me) kind of grief. Maybe some of you have experienced it already. If not, you will, in this new world way of communicating and forming lasting relationships on-line.
This week I heard from my sister that one of the women that we have "met" in the blogosphere/world wide web arena had died unexpectedly. Many of you may also "know" her. Diana Giffin aka naturegrl64 on Instagram. If memory serves correctly I was first drawn to her photos of the most amazing red geraniums in these incredible flower boxes on a charming home. This was while looking at her Flickr account.
I liked her photos on Instagram - especially the ones of her kitties and Gyp. She left comments on my blog. We traded a few e-mails. I think we would have enjoyed each other's company. A lot. She told me about places up North I might enjoy when I made it up to her neck of the woods. When she showed photos of her art space and her journals I wanted to pull up a chair and look out on her amazing view.
She inspired me in many ways. It was just about a year ago that she posted this inspiration board below. I immediately told Chris I NEEDED one of these and tasked him with figuring out how to turn my mail art frame into one.
This week I told him we had procrastinated long enough. I will print out this photo of her board and it will forever remain on my board. Maybe it will help me work through this sadness. I hope she knew how amazing I thought she was, and how much I enjoyed our on-line friendship. I haven't "lost" a friend I had never met in person before. But I am grieving about her death. Wondering how her husband is doing. Who will put up pictures of Maggie so we can continue to watch her grow up? All the normal feelings. It reinforces the power of the internet, and the good that can come out of like-minded people discovering each other.
I will miss you floating in and out of my life Diana. The world is diminished without your light.
I completely understand, Carol. I feel as is I "know" so many people through blogs, Instagram, the old Yahoo groups...even though we've never met in person. My heart is with you.
Posted by: Debbie | 09/13/2018 at 11:41 PM
I’m so sorry Carol, and I can definitely relate.
Posted by: Chris oliveira | 09/14/2018 at 07:26 AM
You are right about the connection with people online. It is to me, much like when when your dear mother passed. While I never knew Momma Moss - i felt like I knew her from your posts and Mary Ann's posts.
So yes, there is much that is good about the online experience. I just wish we could all find that good and replace all of the nastiness that is out there.
Posted by: Claire | 09/14/2018 at 07:43 AM
So well put, Carol.
I relate in that I am close to, attached to several who seem closer than some friends who are near? I am sorry for your loss, you have identifies a new category.
Posted by: jacki long | 09/14/2018 at 11:56 AM
And, I agree with Claire. Because of your and Mary Ann's eloquence in writing of Angie, I did grieve her passing and love when you bring back memories.
Posted by: jacki long | 09/14/2018 at 12:01 PM
Let me add my voice to those mourning the loss of Angie. She is often with me when I wake, sleepless, in the early morning hours. I think of her words "When I woke up in the morning, I decided I wasn't ready to die, so I came up with a plan." That always helps!!!!!
But then, of course, I always think of YOUR words: "The only reason to make a plan is to break the plan." Oh yeah, that is sometimes just what I need to hear!
Posted by: Sharon Walworth | 09/14/2018 at 02:37 PM
What a lovely post Carol. I didn't know naturegrl64, but hearing how her emails, comments and posts connected with you in such a lovely way was touching. Thank you for sharing your feelings and thoughts.
Posted by: Dawn Edwards | 09/15/2018 at 09:15 AM
Oh,so sad to lose her! I discovered her back in my Flickr days and was delighted when I got onto Instagram after a long hiatus and found Diana there. The internet has brought so many lovely people into my life. It's amazing what lovely connections are made there.
Posted by: jeanette sclar | 09/15/2018 at 06:31 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. You're so right about online friends and, even, acquaintances. I just found out that one of my online friends has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I find myself holding my breath while waiting to hear the results of her further tests. It's amazing, isn't it?
Posted by: Linda Watson | 09/15/2018 at 07:19 PM
Of course you have lost a friend you never met in person.
I have friends I've worked with online for years and years that I've only briefly met in person, and friends I have never met in person whom I have known for years and years online.
And there are many more people I have followed for years and years online, whose work I admire and enjoy, whom I would be very sad for our world to lose. (Like you, and Mary Ann......)
I'm sorry I never got to know Diana. I'm glad you did know her, and I am very sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Vicki in Michigan | 09/16/2018 at 11:10 AM
I had no idea that Diana had passed away until right now as I am reading your blog. What a shock! We had a similar online relationship and I loved all her posts and comments, etc. Do you have any personal contacts for her that I could send a note to? Email or otherwise?
Posted by: Loretta Marvel | 09/16/2018 at 06:13 PM
Loretta, I don’t have contact information but I have a detective on it. If any of you know it please email me.
Posted by: Carol | 09/16/2018 at 07:34 PM
I will, Carol. I left a comment on her IG should her family be monitoring it. So sad.
Posted by: Loretta | 09/16/2018 at 08:26 PM
I think about the nature of internet friendships a lot. If I saw you or either of your sisters in town, I wouldn't hesitate to speak. I feel a kinship with you though we've never met, because of what you share via blogs. You don't necessarily feel the same about me-my writing is much more sporadic. So, while I might approach you with arms open wide and a surprised grin, I'm clear you might turn and run in the opposite direction. It's a weird thing. I too loved chatting with Naturegrl-she was open and thoughtful. What a loss. I feel ya.
Posted by: SusanS | 09/17/2018 at 01:21 PM
Carol. I've been away for several weeks, and just now catching up with blog reading. I'm so sad to read of Diana's passing. I discovered her when we both took one of Mary Ann's classes, followed her on Flickr, and knew we could be friends just because of our shared love of art and nature. Her inspiration board is lovely, thanks for sharing it.
Like others have mentioned, I too, came to know and love Angie because of the things you and Mary Ann shared, and always love your mention of her.
Again, so sad about Diana, I will revisit her sites and look again at the beauty she left behind.
Posted by: barbara | 09/19/2018 at 04:10 PM
RIP :(
Posted by: Judy H. | 09/22/2018 at 05:48 AM
I am also very sad to learn of Diana's passing. I would admire all her beautiful photos, and her meticulous journals. I can't help but wonder how something like that could have happened. A routine medical procedure? I can't get that thought out of my head. I think I'll go look at all her lovely photos. She left us all a legacy.
Thank you Diana!
Posted by: Olivia | 09/25/2018 at 04:10 PM