A phone call

I had a surprise phone call yesterday. It was from someone I had worked with, years ago. We rarely keep in touch.

He asked how I was, and shared honestly how hard it was to cope with his current circumstances. He’s in Ukraine, and that evening he was sitting without electricity and heat. He shared some news, good and bad. We had a great chat.

I answered him without “finding time”. Neither of us could overthink what to say. But that was such a meaningful, humane, warm conversation. Nothing like any recent chats I’ve had in convenient messengers.

Phone calls for no good reason ended for me around the ’00s (my parents are the only exception). These calls became kind of unethical because everyone is busy by default. The fade was smooth and organic.

But yesterday, I clearly felt how much I missed good old phone conversations and the kind of warmth they can bring.