These days, most of our matches are made via the Internet. From home decor to clothes to jobs, travel locations to restaurants, blogs to people, you enter your criteria and with a light press of one key, you are presented with a selection of possibilities to meet your needs. Although infinitely convenient, it raises questions about the impersonal nature of life today. We do so much through a machine without human interaction. We search, review the options and chose. Within hours or days, our choice can be in our home or seated across from us at our local coffee shop.
I met my husband though his sister. She and I were friends and she had a feeling her brother and I would get along great. She knew his likes and dislikes and had come to know my interests as well. Looking online for any of the items listed above involves the same process. You know what you want, you provide the parameters and you are presented with the best available results.
I understand the old-school mentality; the first twenty years of my life were computerless. But all that should matter is that we connect with our matches, that they meet a need and touch our hearts. Even “things” should speak to us. I recently purchased a power strip with an extra long cord and rotating outlets and I will fully admit to the thrill that went through me when I read its description, not to mention the joy I felt once delivered and put into use. To most of you this will sound ridiculous, but to me, with my love of technology and organization, this block of electrical sockets is nirvana. And that is the point exactly. What floats my boat is liable to sink yours and vice versa. But when the right wind catches our sails, it is a beautiful thing.
Six years ago this afternoon I went to a website, entered three keywords, then “Enter”, and began one of the greatest relationships of my life. Piper, a six-year-old orange-fronted conure (a species of small parrot) was at a bird rescue fifty miles away. Twenty-five days later he arrived at his forever home, always, at the most, a few rooms away. I’d like to think had he been able, his search would have led him to me as well.
The void in my life had I not met Piper would be deep and wide. His presence in my life allowed me to heal from my mom’s death and the loss of my sight. If that’s not personal, I don’t know what is.
