Only Connect

This post has nothing to do with Victoria Coren Mitchell's excellent Friday night programme. We love it - but acknowledge that it's not everyone's cup of tea.

"Hello, Grandma! Rosie, seen here with her favourite Auntie, knows exactly what to do with today's technology. Unlike previous generations, it is so much easier to make connections with one another across the miles.
Now we have mobile phones, so we can call from almost* anywhere...
No more queuing with a pile of 2p coins by the public callbox outside the University Hall of Residence.
No more standing in the draughty hall at home, by the front door, waiting for the phone to ring.
Now we have emails pinging in our in-box, so...
No more hunting for a stamp so we can post letters** to the ones we love.
No more waiting impatiently for the postman to deliver their messages to us
Now we can take a picture on our phone and share it immediately on Instagram
No more loading films into the back of the camera
No more waiting for the holiday pictures to come back from the chemists where they are being developed
*except Norfolk, mobile phone coverage is rather patchy there
** personally, I still think a real letter is a special treat

E M Forster urged us to 'only connect' - life is better when we connect, and when we share, and when we really care about others. Let's make an effort today to really conenct with someone. Make time for a proper conversation, send a text message of encouragement to someone facing a challenge, post a card - or an email - to someone miles away. You have no idea what a difference a connection like that might mean to the recipient.