Depression Talk

The thing about a social network is that you need it, and you need it to be strong. I wrote a while about having a network in times of need, and this week, Karen was nice enough to discuss some of the things I think are important in supporting someone. If you read through her list, you can really apply her suggestions not only to someone who has cancer, but someone who needs that shoulder to lean on, no matter what is going on in his or her life.

The friends we have, who support us in times of need come through for us in all varieties. Joomy has to be one of my favorite friends, that wonderful woman who has all the answers to all of life’s issues.

Joomy and I rarely see each other in person; when we do see each other, we are typically at a social gathering that prevents us from getting around to discussing the really juicy material in our lives.

But the relationship we do have is a very strong one online. Jooms is typically online at the same time of night I am, blogging away in hopes of someday finding internet fame. I frequently sign on to my computer, and type JOOMS!!! I NEED YOU!! Followed by JOOMS!ARE YOU THERE?!?!

ANd you know, sometimes I can actually feel her hesitating through the computer screen. Like, My God, this girl has another random crisis going on that has nothing to do with me, and I have to deal with it AGAIN and I will never get a solid night’s rest ever again in my life because she just won’t go away.

Hey, I never said I was a bowl full of sunshine and cherries to deal with, and further more, I figured if she really couldn’t talk me through the crises that pop up in my life on a weekly basis, she would simply choose the block and delete function on her MSN.

Jooms has sat patiently in front of her computer for nearing two or three years now, quietly reading and wondering what will pop up on her screen next. She’s talked me through every boy issue you could ever imagine, and dealt with me when I’ve been at the lowest possible low I could have ever been at.

I think one of the trickiest things about having someone like Jooms in your network is wondering how to ever thank them. How do you ever impart on someone that they are so important in your life that if they ceased to exist, you might do the same? How do you ever impart on someone that you KNOW you may be a really crappy friend, and you may not be the best to come to yourself, but that you appreciate, love, and NEED them to continue to be in your life?

I guess you just feature them in your blog, and hope that they get the picture.