technology for granted

The first time I can remember hearing the term 'email address' was about 7 months into my mission. My companion tried to explain it to me but I've never been an early adopter of new technologies. He set up the account for me at a member's house, and I remember him sitting there on a screen typing and clicking away while I had no idea what he was doing.

Turns out all he was doing was setting up a hotmail account, which now seems silly that I was so unable to comprehend. I sent a few messages to friends/family at home while there but it just seemed like some sort of gimmick or game. I didn't realize how or why it would be a valuable thing.

I met a lot of people who became very dear to me, and at the time (1998) it just never occurred to me to exchange email addresses when I left the area- it just wasn't done. I remember leaving Malta and saying "see you in the Spirit World" to everyone. I figured I wouldn't be making any international calls.

Now that email and social networks are so ubiquitous, I've been stumbling into my long lost friends from Italy and Malta. I 'speak' regularly with Mr. Salvo Mina' of Palermo Sicily via IM (instant messaging). In fact we even connected the microphone and webcam and had a bona-fide conversation a few times- we would more, but I really can't do that while at work.

By the time I found him online a few months ago, I was so used to emailing, IMing, etc, that it didn't seem like a big deal to send an email to friends around town, but suddenly when I was actually talking with friends who are so dear to me who are so FAR away I was amazed at the miracle of it all.

I fear many of us take things like that for granted, and I hope I will appreciate it myself. I now have regular talks with friends in Malta, Italy, and Switzerland. I guess this is normal, but for me it isn't- remember I thought I'd never see or hear from again.

As I'm typing this, I am also 'chatting' with Salvo in IM- it's still amazing to me. In fact, now that I think of it, without an internet connection I'd not know what to do with myself.