My Facebook has Twittered into Outer Space

A close friend recently moved to our 50th state. A move I am jealous of but we will not go into that here. In the meantime we have stayed in touch by a number of methods, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, text messaging, and even an old fashion phone call.

It has been very pleasing to remain in touch, at times almost instantly over an incredible distance and several time zones. I have watched as pictures are posted of outings and new apartments and as new friends have come into her life.

However, in reviewing the quality of our correspondence I have noted a remarked decline. We very seldom talk about how we are feeling, the text message does not reflect the inclination of the voice, and as much as I believe in the power of the written word, it has left me feeling that something is missing.

For all of our advances in communication, we are loosing our intimacy. There is not a Facebook application for wiping tears, there is a hug app, but does it really replace the feeling of a good squeeze now and then? You can't tell whether "doing fine" is a literal statement or an avoidance of letting feelings out when you can not hear the reflection of the voice.

There will never be a replacement for a good long sit on the porch steps, or a walk in the park, or a shared dinner. We can never replace the importance of human contact.