It’s 2012, and although we don’t have flying cars quite yet, we’ve pretty much developed every type of communication short of mental telepathy. In other words, we can readily communicate with almost any human being on the entire planet. How cool is that?
Of course, it would take the rest of your life to personally contact even 1% of the world. Understandably, I don’t insist trying to. But I do think personally contacting your closest family members and friends regularly (and spontaneously) is a wonderful way to make meaningful usage of communication availability. The dozens of options constantly at our disposal give us no reason not to reach out. At the very least, the postal service still works!
This thought came to me a few days into my current study abroad trip. I was without cellphone and internet for almost a week, and all I wanted to do was say hi to my mom. I just wanted to say hi and tell her that I was alive and well. I know that sounds corny, but we’ve never went a full week with no communication at all, and because of that, I realized just how lucky we are that communication even exists. We can say hello to someone on the other side of the world! Not long ago in history it would have taken a messenger a decade to deliver that message and a couple of very long boat rides!
Anyhow, back to the story. There I was, on a beach in Australia, miles from any communication source, desperately wishing I could say hi to my mom. The scenery was gorgeous, but my thoughts were still on home. So I called upon my resourcefulness and creativity and decided my best option was to write a message in the sand. I knew she wouldn’t actually see it, but it helped me feel better in the moment. And I took a picture to post for her online a few days later.
When she saw it, I know the message was clear: even when I’m away, even when I’m on vacation, I still think about you, miss you, and love you.
For all of those who will never get a chance to communicate with their loved ones, communicate with yours. Tell them you love them. Tell them how much they mean to you and why you’re glad to have them in your life. Tell them in the most creative way you can. Tell them in another language! Whatever you choose, tell them today!
Hi George! It’s Charlene…from the Brisbane to LA plane ride. I have to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know the amazing young man I shared a few hours…well more like 14 hours…with. I was so impressed with your attentiveness to details and how well you remembered names and places that were peppered throughout our conversation.
I can’t tell you how surprised I was when I looked at your website and saw that you had won the huge scholarship money by tossing a football! I had no idea I was sitting next to someone famous! When I got home, I was talking to my son, Tel, about you, telling him about your skills and how you won the Dr. Pepper contest and he told me he saw you win! He was pretty impressed with your skill too.
Because you told me you were such an avid reader, I wanted to suggest another book for you to read. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer but there is a book written about him called Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy that is an excellent read. He was a Christian in Nazi Germany during a time when it was dangerous to be a believer. His writings are deep and thought provoking so even some of his own writings might be interesting to read.
I hope all is well with you and that you’re not missing your mom and brother too much. Thanks so much for sharing your time with me on the plane, it made a long plane ride much more enjoyable.
Blessings
Charlene Conner
Hi Charlene!
It was so nice to hear from you
Thank you for the kind words and for looking through my site. I appreciate the book recommendation as well; it has officially been added to my reading list!
I’m really glad we got to sit next to each other and converse on our seemingly endless flight. The conversation definitely helped the time pass by.
It’s beyond cool that Tel happened to watch the tuition throw on television. Who would’ve guessed? It’s so humbling to see how we are all connected! On that note, I hope your two/four boys are all doing well. It seems like you have a great family, which is really such a blessing, and I wish you all continued good times. I’m sure you are already missed in Australia!
I’ll be sure to let you know how I like the book. I should be ordering my next batch soon, but feel free to keep in touch in the meantime!
Take care, and thanks so much for you comment. God Bless!
George
Great ideas with the spontaneity of communication – makes a ton of sense.
Thanks for letting me camp out in your blog for a little while today. I had a great time and tried to leave my campsite as good as when I arrived. I’ll be back!
Thank you for visiting! I just checked and everything appears to be as it was before you arrived. Actually, I think it’s a little better!
I just saw the video version and it was amazing.. The youtube link then directed me to a humorous speech contest and you were simply hilarious in that !! Like, seriously good.