Distance

I am amazed at the technology that keeps me in touch with family and friends, like email, or WhatsApp messages and calls, when I am halfway around the planet.

And I am grateful for the ability to communicate when something happens that I need to know about. Like the other morning, when I got woken up by a message from my brother, saying ‘call me now.’ 

 

My sister Barbara had died suddenly. She went to take a nap and didn’t wake up. 

 

I am trying to process this, as is the rest of the family. It’s hard being so far away, though being closer probably wouldn’t really make a difference. There is not much I could do. But even though I am often a Luddite, it’s been the technology that has made me feel closer and connected, and it has been a source of comfort to know that I can reach anyone I need to.

 

I know that many of my friends met Barbara during her many visits to Seattle over the years, or maybe we connected up somewhere else where she and I had ventured. I wanted to share this with all of you as well.  

 

Moments like this reinforce for me what is important - family, loved ones, friends, valuable connections near and far. Thanks for being part of my tribe.