Internet Wonders

Twelve thousand miles away, I'm sharing your Christmas tree set up and decoration ritual. You left your webcam open towards the living room where Liann, Eric, and you are working on it. I saw when you first turned on the lights. I can see now as the three silhouettes move around the tree. The conversation and your laughter also reach me, and quietly at my desk, I watch and write this entry. You have the tv on with Christmas carols, but I can't hear them. Your mike is cheap and does not catch that much, but the details of the moment come fresh, and I can even feel the winter outside for a few seconds. You're all wearing sweatshirts while I have the AC on. The pentagon shaped lights on top of the tree almost touch the ceiling. Now I also hear you type as you chat with someone on AOL. Now you're on the phone with Nick and it feels good to hear you talk to him. He misunderstands your comment "he's not shedding anymore". He got 'he's not shitting anymore'. Your dog Lucas is the new family member about to have his first Christmas with you. I got a little sense of family time shared through virtual space. I got the warmth, the presence and the certainty of being connected even as we keep on writing the pages of our lives in different continents. It's 10:20pm, I say goodbye to you, and feel comforted, in peace. Thank you! :)