Thursday, March 3, 2005

The old Christian Fifties' chat room

BooknCoffee left a comment after yesterday's entry asking what we talk about in our chat room.  First of all, that chat room was closed some time ago.  We do still chat in a private room, infrequently.  But back in the days when our public chat was going strong, we had get-togethers in Dallas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Tennessee over the years, so lots of us met in person.  And many of us still keep in touch.

That original chat room was unique:  first of all, although it was an AOL chat room, you couldn't go there directly, the way you enter most chats.  You had to go to a Christian web page and enter the chat from there, so the general public never found it.  The last year or two, the website was sponsered by Christianity Today.  But there was another one before that; it's been so long, I've forgotten!

Because the chat wasn't easily accessed, it wasn't as crowded as most.  It was a small enough group that we gradually got to know one another and, for the most part, it was a friendly place.  Toward the end some relationships turned sour, but  I choose to remember all the good times, and the friends I made there... many of whom I still e-mail.  There's still a "reunion" in Dallas each April, which I always tried to attend when I was working full-time.

What did we talk about?  Well, what do you talk about with your friends and neighbors?  Our grandchildren, our churches, our spouses (at least 75% of the people in the room were female).  Although it was "50 plus", we had younger people.  Tinker and Jim got together in the chat room, met face to face in Dallas, and are happily married.  We've lost many of the original members to cancer:  Zulma, WESTBILT, Goodolddys, Phil.  I guess that goes with the territory of an over-50 group.  Some of my dear friends lost spouses, and their heartbreak was so real and thick, you could cut it with a knife.

We had some side-splitting, roll-in-the-floor-laughing discussions in the chat room.  Friends still kid me about the "nekkid chat" (no, it wasn't porn) and the brisket discussion.  I  swear, I was only trying to explain what part of a cow the brisket comes from... the hangy-down thing on their neck! 

Just for a couple of hours, I'd love to go back to that chat room the way it was, before egos and hard feelings split it into factions (yes, my ego too).  Before WESTBILT passed away; dear  Lord, that man had a sense of humor!  Back when Goodolddys sent out a chat room newsletter, with pictures and articles contributed by all the roomies.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.  I'm so glad I was there to enjoy the season of the Christian Fifties Plus chat room.  And I thank God for all the friends I still have as a result of that room.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a great memory. I remember when I first joinded AOL, last century (LOL) and going to a couple of chat rooms. They were great. Almost always adults, no bad language and just a good group of people. You took it to the next level and got to meet some of these fine folks and had good times together....now those are chereshed memories!    Anne

Anonymous said...

You sure explained our room well Mo. Way back then when West and Phil were there I was Gparents6 and later changed to WhiteDove. It was a wonderful place and we did have great chats. I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of the people from the original room and they were as sweet and kind in person as they were in the room. And yes, if but for a season it was a great place.

Anonymous said...

I had a message board that was like this. A little community of new mothers. Made some really great friends. But in-fighting and other nonsense drove me away. I still keep in touch with a few of the women and one became my best friend. I love AOL for all the great friends I have made over the years.

Anonymous said...

Oh the old room........Don't forget the celebrations we had, complete with confetti and cake.  It was the best place to end a weary day.  Mosie, you forgot to mention the support we gave each other.  While my dear late sister was ailing, you all held me together.  For that I will be forever grateful.  And it was there I met you.   :o)

Bnana
AKA Joanna

Anonymous said...

Amen, Sister !

Anonymous said...

I am glad you got to be a part of this group and thanks for sharing.  I am sure some lives are blessed that needed touching at that time and it also sounds like you had some fun.
I am sorry that I am two days late reading an entry that starts with my screen name - LOL!  Since I asked the question.  
I'm catching up on journaling from trying to get everything done.

Anonymous said...

Just read this entry today, Mo, and I, too, would like to say I miss that old chat room.  I'm so privileged to have met many of you in person in Dallas, North Carolina and my very first reunion was in Tennessee, and I wouldn't want to forget the great time we had in Charlotte, and the one we had in Kentucky. There have been so many good times in the chatrooms and with the roomies that I can remember and I cherish every memory. Thanks for reminding me, Mosie.

Anonymous said...

Glad you can look on the bright side of things. And...I'm glad to finally know what portion of a cow the brisket comes from. :-D ---Robbie