I am still dealing with the loss of a dear friend whom I met while playing an online role playing game. He was an still rather young (50ish) but severely disabled; on oxygen and some severe coronary/vascular problems... Anyway, after choosing to leave the game for a while, I came back to find out that he had had a heart attack and passed away. I was very upset and still get a bit sad when I think about him, though I never met him in person and only share time in a virtual world with him.

What are we to do when we lose our virtual friends? Is the loss any different than when we lose a physical companion?

I've lost several online golfing pals over the years. Yes, it hurts but doesn't hurt as much as losing a physical friend, or doesn't hurt as long rather.

Shaman, I am sorry for the loss of your online friend, and I am sure that he will be missed by many that knew him like yourself. I hope that all of his friends will just try to remember all the good times that you've shared together, and be happy that he will no longer suffer any physical pains.

Death has always been a celebration of sorts for me. Yes, I grieve because I miss the people and can relate to the grief of others, but I am also of the belief that they are no longer locked into pain, time constraints, or any of the down side of earth life. There is no ending of a person for me as long as I dip into that well of memories that person and I shared, they are always with me. There are times, I've spent enough time with a person I can even think, "hmmm what would they do or say?" Instantly, I can hear them in my mind and feel them in my heart.

Blessed Be..... Forever in your heart he shall live and in your Soul he shall sing .....

*happy smiles and big hugs to you all*

Death sucks and then you live