Reach Out and Touch Someone

In the 1980s, AT&T had a memorable and catchy slogan encouraging everyone to "reach out and touch someone." Sounds a little corny, and today if we did reach out and touch someone, we might end up with a lawsuit on our hands.

The concept behind the slogan, though, is still a good one. Reach out, make a connection with someone important to you. I am definitely an advocate of technology and I love using emails, texts, and social networking to keep in touch with people. That said, I still think that a phone call is the best way to reach out.

This evening I spent some time talking with a treasured friend who lives in the same city as me; I typically see her 2-4 times a month. The weeks when we don't spend time together, one of us will call to check in with the other to find out how things are going. The phone calls are what keep us connected when we are short on time.

I also called my parents tonight and had a lovely and enjoyable conversation with my mother. We live a significant distance from each other and only see each other once every year or two, so the space between visits is filled by emails, greeting cards, occasional letters and phone calls. I enjoy each of those ways of keeping in touch with my folks, but the phone calls are the best.

I can curl up on the couch and hear my mom or dad's voice and the miles between us fade away. If I close my eyes, I can imagine that we are sitting in the same room. In times of trouble or elation, or just any ol' day, a phone call bridges the gap between me and my family and friends. Speaking with someone, I can detect excitement, worry, humor and many feelings that don't translate so well in written communication.

If the person has an accent, speech pattern or habit that is unique to them, I get to hear it on the phone. My aforementioned friend is from North Dakota and often says "Oh, Barb" throughout our conversations. One of my dearest friends who hales from the Lone Star state always says, "Dad and them" when she is talking about her dad's family. Hearing my dad clear his throat or one of my brothers laugh--those sounds are deep within my being and resonate in my heart and mind.

I think AT&T got this one right; I know I need to take a little more time to reach out and touch someone!