2008 was a year of connecting. I discovered that some people in my daily life were connected to my past and to other people I know. I’ve corresponded with friends from my past and made new friends because of my blog. I joined Facebook and located some old friends and even some family members. I got and wrote some snail mail to a couple of old pals. It’s been a joy to be connected to the lives of so many fine people.
But I lost a few friends too. People died. One friend scared me by being “gone” for about a month, and then I found out she had been very ill and in the hospital. One of the drawbacks of being far away from those you care about is knowing that you are always dependent on them, or someone near them, to keep you informed.
I also lost a friend for reasons unknown. She just stopped corresponding, and I’m left with a “black hole” in my world. I don’t know what happened or why. I don’t have a way to reach her that I haven’t already tried. I don’t know if the problem was mine or hers. I just care. And I hope that even if I never hear from her again, she is healthy and happy.
That’s the problem with connecting. Once we open our heart and life to another person we are vulnerable to what they do or don’t do. Even a cyberspace friend can become a piece of our life that we don’t want to relinquish. But I wouldn’t change a thing that happened in 2008. Connecting with people brings me joy and each person adds to my understanding of myself and others. I think God intended for us to have joy and sorrow so we would appreciate the joy.
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