The Internet is a wonderful thing. Sitting here in a quiet house miles away from anywhere there is a peace and quietness that is calming. We have exchanged Christmas greetings with the neighbors and now relax in the safe harbor of our own home.
The only lights on are those on the Christmas tree. It is cold outside but cozy here under a nice down blanket.
In this quiet moment I turn off my phone and turn on my laptop and sit here on the couch – marvelling at the technology that allows me to sit here or anywhere in my house and tap into information from all around the world.
In my high school and college days I kept in touch with alot of friends but you had to pick up a phone or write a letter and then wait for their reply. Now I can pick up my laptop and check out blogs from friends around the world. Some friends would really only be considered aquaintances but I still really enjoy reading their blogs and hearing about what they are doing and how events in their lives are very similar to my own.
Christmas was yesterday and New Years is just a few days away and it makes me think of friends that have made me smile and laugh over this past year. There are a few of these friends that I have not heard from in a while and so I checked out their blogs to see what is new in their lives. On one friends blog I see a picture of his chest with a large bandage taped just under his shoulder. The short description on the page tells me that what I am looking at is the place on his body where the chemotherapy line is attached when he goes in for chemo. Cancer? What kind of Cancer? This friend of mine who is clearly not that close to me – not close enough for me to have known that he is dealing with cancer. For how long? How long has he known? When was the last time we exchanged silly banter on a social website? I’m not sure. I don’t have any of these answers.
So I read on – there really aren’t any answers to any of my questions anywhere on his blog. Clearly that is not what he wants to focus on. Further down on his blog his only thought is one of seeking out humor in all of this mess. His only request is for tips on funny movies that will make him laugh.
My kids make me laugh every day. So, I make a list of their most recent favorite videos on the internet and send him a quick note that we are thinking about him.
What does all this mean? Is anyone thinking about me on this chilly December evening? What about some of my friends from high school who I have totally lost touch with?
Somehow we are all connected. Sometimes these pathways cross and we have moments where we touch each others lives. I truly hope that I was able to extend a proper message of hope and laughter to my friend with cancer. At the same time, he has helped me remember that everything we do online is all about our connections. Connecting with friends, connecting with like minds, connecting with potential clients, and connecting with the most unlikely people too.
By making these connections we help each other grow in peace and understanding. My New Years prayer is one for greater understanding and stronger connections. And of course I pray for all of my current friends and family and for their good health and prosperity in this New Year.
