tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post7482957243765780220..comments2007-08-10T21:34:34.080-07:00Dananoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-43934668551030366042007-06-28T09:28:49.066-07:002007-06-28T09:28:49.066-07:00Very nice thoughts. And nice to meet you. I'm actually not a phone person... I prefer talking eyeball-to-eyeball. Some people think that's strange! Blessings, e-Mome-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090290482455881323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-85884788004966957572007-06-23T08:47:58.483-07:002007-06-23T08:47:58.483-07:00ThxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-57825869696815005362007-06-22T18:59:25.354-07:002007-06-22T18:59:25.354-07:00That reminds me of a comment made by a seminary professor's wife a couple of years ago at a panel discussion for future pastor's wives. The topic of the moment was the perceived expectation that a pastor's home always be open to and ready for people to drop in. Cornelia (this professor's wife) is from Germany, and her response was, "You know, people would always go visiting in Germany and I was just used to expecting that. But ever since we have lived here in the US, I keep a lovely sitting room ready, but nobody ever stops by." She certainly relieved our homekeeping anxieties, but at the same time...it was a bit sad.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00784005289447041367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-46898049390748830452007-06-22T14:47:20.760-07:002007-06-22T14:47:20.760-07:00Thanks for your kind words, everyone. Anna-Marie, be careful what you ask for. I have been known to take people up on those kinds of invitations...<BR/><BR/>Shawna, that is wonderful! I'm sure you'll share all about it with your virtual friends, right?<BR/><BR/>Jennifer, we do have the space in the yard, but with 900 sq ft in the house it gets a little cramped. But a conversation out on the lawn would be quite a bit more refreshing than online chats.<BR/><BR/>Scatty, that is the one thing I really miss about Germany. At least where I lived, you went visiting around 3 in the afternoon. People were expecting someone to drop by, so if you felt like it, you just dropped in on people.<BR/><BR/>You don't do that here. You need an invitation. And most invitations aren't all that genuine. There have been a few times I have taken up such an invitation from someone, only to catch the hostess by surprise because she didn't actually think I would come.Danahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07363108115499781703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-68506078157892233122007-06-22T12:48:43.462-07:002007-06-22T12:48:43.462-07:00So true. I've been feeling a little depressed and cut off the last few days and today I had a friend round for an hour and in the late afternoon sat and drank a cup of coffee at my neighbours'. What a difference that made!scattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619473098124504880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-13631463134573506952007-06-22T10:03:08.145-07:002007-06-22T10:03:08.145-07:00I'm with Anna-Marie. I'll be right over. You do have a lovely green yard for all the kids to play. :-)Jennifer in ORhttp://diaryof1.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-68199822289355285992007-06-22T08:50:45.732-07:002007-06-22T08:50:45.732-07:00Dana,<BR/> Thank you for giving us your thoughtful perspective yet again.<BR/> I think I'll get off the computer and go visit my neighbor...<BR/> Blessings, <BR/> RenaeRenaereflective.homeschooljournal.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-66094262132474000832007-06-22T08:35:38.570-07:002007-06-22T08:35:38.570-07:00I have had the exact same thought, in fact I think a hand written letter is a bit more tangible than many of the more modern fors of reaching out and touching someone as it does reflect so much of the writer: stationary choice, scent, handwriting style/imprint, the fact that the writer held and handled the paper that the reader is now holding and handling, it is hand delivered by a mail person.<BR/><BR/>This idea of reaching out has been haunting me so much lately that I have a field trip planned next week to take my boys down to visit their 93 year old great-grandmother rather than just call her. I was inspiried by some wonderful still shots of fellow blogger Chris and her sons with their grandmother--I felt the need to "be" with my grandmother at that moment, I missed her presence, her touch, her laughter, her voice.<BR/><BR/>Yes, human contact is essential to our existence...and something I fear may be being lost in our modern world.Shawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15226629390376056787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-6513327999641451252007-06-22T06:54:57.826-07:002007-06-22T06:54:57.826-07:00Maybe they wanted you off the phone so they could talk to *you*. **smile**<BR/><BR/>Fabulous article. Does this mean you are coming for a visit? And a cuppa? and so our kids can play?? Does it?? Does it?? :) I'll go turn down the guest bed...well, maybe not, since it's in the sofa. Well, just let me know when you're coming then.<BR/><BR/>Anna-MarieAnna-Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13744569319989211286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-45724813175927076642007-06-22T03:07:24.969-07:002007-06-22T03:07:24.969-07:00Very nicely done! I am glad to have it as another entry in the contest. Thanks!Charhttp://www.wearyparent.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23087312.post-16988945592362858602007-06-21T23:20:35.738-07:002007-06-21T23:20:35.738-07:00A beautifully told story, Dana, with some interesting points.Yvonne Russellhttp://www.growyourwritingbusiness.comnoreply@blogger.com