Day 2.310: Bad news made better (and worse)

Before our walk yesterday, we visited Cohoes Falls. We were disappointed to find that the new over-look park is closed for the winter (for six months), but the old viewpoint gave us some good views.

We received some bad news today - that one of our college friends had died in a car accident at the weekend. Exile #2 had exchanged emails with him last week - after being out of touch for some time. I had a good chat with the good friend that called with the news - terribly sad of course, but also redemptive in some ways - peppered with moments of joy amidst the pain.

I hope he doesn't mind me relating that it was in contrast with the way that he had heard the news - in a voice-mail message. Have we become so comfortable with technology that we forget that some things need to be shared voice-to-voice if not face-to-face? I am not one to belittle the positive effect of all the modern means of communication or to suggest that 'no-one knows how to relate to real people any more' or any of that - on the contrary I think that our ability to keep in touch with ease helps to keep many long-distance friendships ticking-over. However, there are some things that are too hard to hear in an email, on voice-mail or in a text message or facebook status and I am grateful for real friends today - some near, many far away - all of you - you know who you are!