I don’t think it is an under-estimate to say that right now 90% of my social interactions outside of work and home are mediated through technology and social media. And I know I am not the only one. Never so easy to stay in touch. Never so alone.

I had a very vivid dream the other night. I was sitting in a parked car on a dreary British high street. When I saw my dead friend  and university flat-mate, Mark making his way into a newsagent. Mark died a few years ago from cancer of the esophagus. I called out to him, “Mark, Mark.” I did not or could not get out of the car but I leaned out the window repeatedly calling his name until he heard me. Strangely, the desperation of that call, in that dream, is still sitting with me.

He finally heard me and walked up to the car. His face, emotionless, perhaps even a tad confused.

Relieved. “Mark.” I was a bit out of breath from calling his name. “Mark, thank you for being my friend.” Was all I could muster up and say. 

Again, without emotion he looked at me, and reached out his hand. We exchanged a solid hand shake and then he walked away without having said anything and entered the shop he was originally heading into.