Let Your Fingers Do the Walking

I love the small miracles that trickle in when you think you are, as they say, sh*t out of luck. Post anxiety attack at no work AGAIN, followed by delicious calm after my 15 minute yoga routine, I braid my hair and start for the door, when the phone rings and my friend Juju is on the phone. Dear God, Juju! I practically cry out: HI JUJU! I needed a call from a far off friend. BADLY. It was so great to laugh and hear about her own woes. Sometimes it helps to get over your bad self and listen to someone else's stress for awhile. Other people are dealing with life too and it felt good to be the ear for awhile instead of the mouth! Also, to hear the sweet sound of a far flung friend's voice on the phone was life-infusing! I felt NORMALIZED.

All this is to say that I've been struck with an increasing phenomenon in my life since I started this here blog, and especially since I moved to New York. I hear less and less from friends and family. At first, I thought oh, people are busy--which is true--but I 'm realizing that blogging has one drawback. The people closest to you (in heart, but not in location) think that by READING the blog, they are IN TOUCH WITH YOU. I've literally had a few people drop me two line e-mails in response to an e-mail, that have said (in one way or another), "I am dying to know what's up with you--I'll check your blog."

WHAT THE HECK???

Don't get me wrong--I love that people I love and know are reading my blog (Hi everybody!)--but you know what I like even more? TALKING to them! I know that in a fast-paced electronic age, this probably sounds as archaic and CRAZY as rubbing two sticks together to get a fire going, but I guess I am OLD FASHIONED. Also, just a note, maybe (and I know this is going to SHOCK some people) this is only one PART of me and my experience. Not only that, but hey, maybe I'd like to know how YOU are doing.

There is a lot you can do on the computer--the advancements are startling! You can buy almost anything, find information on the most MINUTE subjects, listen to music, find a doctor or childcare, and yes, publish your daily life. You can't however, hear the laughter in a friend's voice or the excitement of a new idea, or the desperation of a bad day. You can't get the subtle nuances that make up the people that matter most to you, no matter how good the story on the screen reads.

I've been feeling this for awhile, but getting the sudden, surprising phone call from Juju this morning brought it all home. As I live and breathe, friends, hearing your voices and the dailiness of your own lives is the nourishment I've been missing. I am just as guilty for being caught up in checking blogs, writing less e-mails--but I am here to tell you that I STILL miss you.

Whoever you are, reading this, whether I know you or not, turn off the computer and pick up the phone. Call up a friend. I bet you that it will be the missing piece of the puzzle that you've been groping under the bed for.