Sometimes people make me feel like it is silly to be involved in internet communities, or have “internet friends” that I really care about. Sometimes, I wonder if they are right, if it is crazy to become invested in people I meet on a computer monitor.
Today, I learned that they are wrong.
Recently a young woman I know, with little money and few supports, had a baby. She called me yesterday to tell me that her baby is having trouble nursing, and she is trying to pump for the baby. She has a hand pump, but it is very slow and not getting much milk. She asked if I knew where she could buy a cheap used electric pump. I immediately though of Hailea, an internet friend of mine who lives in the same small city as this young woman, and whom I have met in person only once before. I knew Hailea breastfeeds and has a new baby, so I figured she would have some knowledge in this area. I e-mailed Hailea for some advice I could pass on. Not only was Hailea able eager to provide me with list of local resources to help with breastfeeding difficulties, she told me that she had an electric pump she no longer used and offered it to the young woman. Today, she trusted me enough to allow me to come to her home and pick it up on my way to visit the young woman.
When I got to the young woman’s house with the pump, tears came to her eyes. She had expected me to arrive with a some phone numbers, maybe a list of hospitals where she could rent a pump. Instead, I arrived with just what she wanted most in the world, the ability to give her baby the gift of her milk. Hailea enabled me to give that gift to this young woman.
Thank You Hailea. You are a wonderful person and a wonderful friend. Meeting people like you makes me so proud to be an internet addict!
Chrissy said,
July 12, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Oh my gosh! That is such an amazing story! :) I think you are one awesome chiquita. You’re always so ready to help people out and you’ve got such an amazing heart. I am glad you are an internet addict :) As silly as this sounds, the world needs more people like you…ready to offer advice or resources. You’re an awesome friend to those who are fortunate to know you in person and to those who have met you through your blog and internet communities.
Jeannie said,
July 13, 2007 @ 8:03 am
What a great story. I know that sometimes Lino thinks my internet addiction is silly. He’ll say which computer friend? But I think what you did was awesome.
Yay for you! Yay for Hailea!
koz said,
July 13, 2007 @ 10:46 am
Hey – I think I know Hailea! Do I? Hailea?
Small Internet World!
Hailea said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
Thats so sweet Jill. I’m really glad your girl was happy about the pump. I’m kind of speechless…
but thank you, this made my day.
Hailea said,
July 13, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
I must admit, I was doing what I felt was kind of the least I could do.
However, considering how much this meant to your girl, it just goes to show you that sometimes small gestures to you mean the world to someone else.
And yes, Koz, I’m pretty sure I know you too.
mommiebear2 said,
July 14, 2007 @ 10:07 am
I love it when things like that work out. :)
alimum said,
July 14, 2007 @ 11:05 pm
That is really fabulous!
Karen said,
July 15, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
What a wonderful post! Having met you through the i-net world I personally am also so glad that you’re addicted. It’s really about human relationships, as you’ve shown. The web is just a vehicle. Kudos to you for your fast thinking!
thordora said,
July 16, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
I’ve met more cool people thru the internet than anywhere else. It’s awesome.
Leslie said,
July 17, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
That’s fantastic Jill! Glad to see you’re still a lactivist!