Skype.com
We are among countless folks who use skype to stay in touch with their friends around the world. We use it sometimes as an "instant message" when we see a friend is also online. But the last couple of days we have used it as a phone.
It is absolutely amazing to me that we can talk to friends and family by talking over our laptop. We have attempted conference calls, but find that at least one of the parties is not getting a great connection. Or that they are hearing a long clear echo. But mostly we are thrilled to HEAR the voices of those closest to us. It sounds like they are in the next room. Crystal clear. No delay. It's so fun to laugh WITH friends. Outloud. Together. Not just LOL on a page.
This particular weekend we were so thankful for skype. My brother was admitted to a hospital in Ohio. We received an email from Massachusetts with the startling news...and we quickly checked to see who might be online that could get us some quick information. Aha. Massachusetts. Skyped my sister who could audibly talk to us and fill us in on what she knew. No need to let our imaginations run wild -- the story was already weird enough. We could ask questions immediately. And, bless her heart, she used her phone to call another sister in Ohio who was "on the spot" with the latest news. SHE spoke to Massachusetts, who spoke to us immediately via Skype.
Today we even heard my brother's voice as he called my sister on the Cape to give her info to pass on to Jim while we were on skype. What is the world coming to? I know...some of you can even SEE the person talking. And some of you even know how to use the computer to call a landline in the States. We're not at that point.
(We were given a vonage phone last year, but we could never make it work. We hear others are using them quite successfully here, so we may try again one day...)
Anyway, enough promoting of skype.com.
Please pray for wisdom for the doctors as they try to piece together what is wrong with my brother. He says that he saw the MRI of his head, and that he does indeed have a brain. (Confirmed!) He has his crazy sense of humor still, so that is a plus. He has access to "happy medicine"...a blue button that he can push for morphine when pain becomes overly intense. One of the doctors noted that he had stopped smoking and had stopped drinking. He asked my brother what he does for fun. His answer: "Well, I'm considering renting this machine with the blue button!" Caught the doc by surprise.
As long as he can see the humor in it all, that's a good sign in my opinion. And laughter IS good medicine.
Love you, bro.
