Details in the Fabric

I have a theory about the rampant growth of Facebook. For years we have all gotten farther apart from each other -- cell phones, working from home, email, texting, instant messaging -- things have evolved to keep us at arm's length from each other. No one really talks to each other anymore.

We all lose touch (as has been the pattern for all of time) and move on into other circles and new friends. Then these really smart kids invited a site to bring people together and the whole world has swarmed to it -- wanting to feel connected to each other again. I think it's kind of nice.

On Love, In Sadness

The last time I wore my black coat was a long time ago.

It was cold and there as snow on the ground. I was far away from home, but somehow home at the same time.

I wore it last night to a hockey game. I had to empty out my pockets to go through security. In them, I found some pebbles, a 5-inch long stem from a rose, and a card with his name on it that I don't remember ever seeing before. I also had one of the coins I sorted with my cousins. Why isn't it with the others? I had a flag pin on my lapel, but not the special one he gave me. I had one black glove. I don't know where it's mate is and I don't remember seeing it before either. I don't even know if it's mine.

The last time I wore my black coat I was in Indiana with my family, saying goodbye to my grandfather. It was the end of winter and once I got home I hung it in the closet and left it there during the long spring, summer and fall. It's hard to believe it's already so cold again and so much time has passed.

I still really miss him.