Unexpected Reunion, Cellphones and the Internet
By hereandthere
@hereandthere (45645)
Philippines
May 21, 2016 11:39pm CST
The last time the three of us met was September 2015, after many, many years of not seeing each other, so there was a lot of catching up to do, talking nonstop, topics overlapping, serious and silly.
Although she said she'll be back this April, the two of us never heard from her again.
Today, I received an unexpected text. Our classmate's mother died. When she asked when can we visit, I said we better go today while we're both free.
I already called the funeral home for directions on how to go there and told her we'll just meet at the lobby. She then messaged our classmate what time we'll be there.
It's sad when you meet again after a long time because of illness or death, or when tragedy follows a happy reunion.
P.S. I prefer going to wakes during the day, and the internet is so helpful in finding contact numbers, maps and pictures of the area you're going to. I'm also glad that we no longer need payphones to communicate when we're out.
28 people like this
20 responses
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
30 May 16
it would be nice if we could see her again before she leaves again, but will understand if she can't.
@much2say (56053)
• Los Angeles, California
27 May 16
Sorry to hear about your friend's mother. My sister went through something similar recently, but it was for the passing of her childhood friend. It was unexpected and shocking - particularly the circumstances. I was not close to the friend or family, but it was interesting how much information I could easily snoop out from the internet - the services and open messages from friends and family about her passing.
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27167)
• Australia
23 May 16
Sorry to hear of your classmate's loss. Yes, it would not be a kind of reunion that anyone would want to have. In the past few months, two of my friends passed away. We're about the same age, and my son even wondered why are my friends dying already as he didn't think we're that old yet...
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
23 May 16
true, like cousins, neighbors you went to school with, and last year classmates or their spouses
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
22 May 16
will have lunch first, then start getting ready.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
22 May 16
yeah. even if you don't have email or fb, as long as you have a cellphone, people can still contact you
@flapiz (23152)
• United Kingdom
23 May 16
This is an example of how technology can be used in a good way.
@anjalmonte (106)
• Quezon, Philippines
16 Jun 16
sometimes it requires a sad event to gather relatives and friends....
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
25 May 16
she didn't contact us when she arrived last april because she was busy taking care of her mother.
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
25 May 16
@hereandthere Oh that's a valid reason. You can postpone reunions again.
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
4 Jun 16
It is sad that you meet under such circumstances. Using the Internet to find the when and where is very useful.
1 person likes this
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
22 May 16
thats not a good way to reunite with friends.
when i was in the hospital, a friend of mine from Cebu came to visit me in Manila. we havent seen each other in a long time and he was so saddened when he saw my wounds. i was happy to see him but i guess it wasnt a very happy visit for him. we were both hoping we wont be having our next meet in a hospital.
@shaggin (72234)
• United States
23 May 16
That is a very sad thing when you meet up again on such a sad occasion. It makes you wish you got to see them under much better circumstances. I am sure your friend appreciated you being there for her.
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
22 May 16
condolence to your friend for the demise of her mother. yes, now we have mobile phones, payphones are already obsolete.
