in these times of trouble I sometimes feel an incredible urge to connect with people who may be ill, or lonely, or in need.  Usually I take an aspirin and lie down until the feeling goes away.  Because I know it isn’t going to lead to an improvement of the person’s situation, and I can’t do much to change that situation, but it will definitely make me feel bad.  Tonight a former student called and reminisced about the times she used to visit me when all the kids were living here and we had a dog and everything was happening.  I was beginning to feel nostalgic about the good old days but then I realized her situation was so bad now that her happy days were long ago and in her situation it will never get better than it was then.  i wish i could help her, somehow connect her with a partner, get her an eye doctor that could improve her situation, or at least help her find a job that she could do with other people.  but i know i can’t, so all i can do is wish her well, embrace her virtually, and then go off feeling sad.  

and yet we must connect.  we are so busy with our survival and the difficulties of overcoming the obstacles to communication that sometimes we forget the old people, the weak, or even just the old friends that need a little boost.  let’s try, just a little harder.  i will. i promise.