Icy Plates in Winter

Who eats ice cream in the middle of winter? Who eats icy plates in the middle of winter? Why do they eat cold things in the middle of winter and late at night?  Sometimes it's not what we're eating but the company that we're with.

My group of high school friends and I got together last night to send off one of our friends who will be moving away to Toronto for work.  While most of us do see each other regularly around birthdays and new year's, it wasn't this often that we all are able to get together, especially with everyone's busy schedules.  As we sat there chatting and catching up with those we hadn't seen in a long time, it made me realize how long we had known each other and how lucky we are to still be in touch and good friends.

Technology, while we've been lucky, with Facebook and email, was a way we were able to stay in touch - but it's really not the same as the old traditional ways of getting together, talking on the phone, or writing a letter and mailing it.  The warmth we feel amongst family and friends can ward off any cold predicaments. It is a feeling that sadly technology will unlikely ever be able to evoke. Nor should it, humanity needs interaction amongst its members, real life physical interactions that no machine can ever provide.  You've all hugged someone, kissed someone, shaken hands, smiled during a phone call, you know what I'm describing.

Of course when it's impossible because you're literally miles away, then technology is a wonderful gift that while it can't substitute entirely, can be a good surrogate.

So despite this cold weather we've been having, pull yourself away from the computer sometimes and get outside, perhaps have an icy plate with your friends. You can pick and choose the toppings, just like how we can choose to live our lives.