Banana Peels in Blogland

On Tuesday, Sue over at Torn Pages was discussing how some bloggers have had the experience of readers turning vicious on them. Like Sue it is a phenomena that I just do not understand. If I as reader do not like or agree with the opinions or ideas of a fellow blogger it is simple I just choose to no longer visit. Personal attacks are way out of line and completely uneccesary.

In my journies through blog land I was made aware of behavior by a blogger that is even more disturbing and heart wrenching. No names will be used to protect the innocent and the guilty.

Blogger A is a warm and caring individual. They possess a level of compassion that goes beyond the norm in our society. This person truly tries to see the good in people and offer assistance when they can. A trait that is to often missing in this world.

This is not to say that blogger A is naive, no far from it their heart is large and goes out to those who suffer in this world.

Now in our story blogger A discovers the blog belonging to blogger B. Over time a digital friendship develops. Nothing odd. Just two people who found common ground in each others writing and became friends.

Over time blogger A found out that blogger B was suffering from cancer. Blogger A was concerned and asked after blogger B's condition on a regular basis. Blogger A sent get well e-cards, asked people to pray for blogger B etc. For not having met blogger B, blogger A's concern ran deep.

Over the holidays blogger A received an email from blogger B thanking them for their friendship and informing them that the doctors had told blogger B that their time was short and that they could go any day. blogger B was checking into the hospital and wanted to say goodby.

Needless to say blogger A was devestated though they had never met blogger B had become a friend.

A few days later blogger A received another email from someone who knew blogger B personally informing them that blogger B had died.

Blogger A cried.

Blogger A thought about their friend and how their friend had suffered.

Blogger A was in pain for days.

Several days after the death blogger A found themselves reading through a newsgroup they belonged to and discovered someone discussing blogger B. This person had wanted to send floweres. Knew where blogger B lived and contacted the landlord about where to send them.

Much to their surprise they found that blogger B was alive.

In blogger B's favor it does not seem that this was done for financial gain. It seems to be a very loud, extremely loud cry for attention.

Of course blogger A was doublely devestated and is now questioning whether anyone in the blog world can be trusted.

If it had happened to me I would be to.

I really do not know what to say about the whole episode. I hope that it does not change blogger A because they do a lot to help people. As for blogger B anything I could say would not change a thing so I will allow the story to speak for itself.