Losing a "Friend"

Today, I am saddened by the news that one of the nicest guys I never met passed unexpectedly in the aftermath of a severe heart attack.  The strange thing, is that I didn't know this person, yet it still affected me much more than merely a news story.  Despite having never met Marc, I felt a form of actual friendship, resulting solely from reading his blogs, listening to his podcasts, and interacting with him electronically via email and especially Twitter.  

What was it about Marc?  I follow lots of people on Twitter that I wouldn't say are virtual "friends." I enjoy reading pretty much everything that Andy Inhatko has to say, for example, but it's all a one way conversation.  Marc was different.  He followed me. He subscribed to the RSS feed of my little blog. If I had questions, he always had answers. If I commented on something he'd written, he always responded.  He made a connection with me as he did with others, and that made him a "friend." He understood as I hope that others will that Twitter and social networking is about making connections with people. 

This is the first time, I've experienced the loss of a virtual friend.  I think this event brings home for me the reality that Twitter is a community and that it is possible to make genuine human connections through electronic media.  We'll miss Marc, and his family will remain in my prayers.  Heaven just got one great MVP.