Intimately separated

Intimate is defined as, thoroughly acquainted through study or experience.

I love our communication outlets available today. Through skype, tango, and face dial we can talk and view the events and people in our lives while many miles separate us. Because of YouTube nothing is private - even our most embarrassing moments. Because of face book we can read details of events and view photo albums containing the sublime to absurd pictures (we even value our popularity by the number of friends we have listed). And with the use of Twitter we can follow each other 140 characters at a time - your influence is estimated by the ratio of followers to following.

I wonder though, when was the last time anyone hugged you? Can you remember when you last looked someone in the eye and winked? How long has it been since you belly laughed until you snorted? Have you cried and silently sat with a hurting friend while simply holding their hand - recently? Can you remember the events of the last time you sat so close to someone that your shoulders seemed to mesh into one? Rather than the dad who is continents away as his son plays the tuba at a school concert... but he is "actually" there by way of IPad - when was the last time you physically stood in ovation (in the very room with your child) as she pulled the bow strings downward across the strings of the violin?

I'm very thankful for technology. But I miss sitting in the stands while my grandchild takes the final shot. I don't mind singing happy birthday on the voice mail, but I would much rather be in the room with the celebrant. I'm glad for the emoting apps but I miss actually seeing the smile with the front tooth missing. And even though I can see and hear the belly laughter of the little child on YouTube, it doesn't replace the smell of their fresh bathed head filling the senses of my nose.

I miss the human touch, the emotional connection of smell, the intimacy of being there. I'm learning that people really can be lonely in a crowded world. Join me as we reach out and touch someone. We have no idea what joy that will bring to them.