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Good morning.聽

We had a family video link-up the other night. Some of us in Glasgow, some in London, others elsewhere.聽 Every day now, I鈥檓 newly grateful for the internet, for social media, for the phone and all the other ways to keep in touch.

The thing is, some people are better than others at technology. During our most recent meet up, almost everyone over 50 was useless.聽 My brother spent most of the time in a muted condition before he worked out how to be heard; my sister kept appearing and disappearing, and all we could hear were her helpless giggles; and another sister was so close to the screen that we could only see her forehead.

In the midst of all the difficulties of closed schools, children stuck at home can at least see grandparents online, even if they can鈥檛 be physically together.聽 The younger people I know are consciously thinking of older relatives and neighbours and trying to keep in touch. 聽聽

The pre-Corona virus truth was that loneliness and isolation is a burden for many, particularly the elderly.聽 The truth now is that we鈥檙e all experiencing a life confined and bounded, and learning how the world tilts and feels unstable when you鈥檙e not free to go where you want, when you want.聽 We鈥檙e social creatures, bound to each other, and now being together is more precious than ever.聽聽聽 Even if you can only see the top of your sister鈥檚 forehead.

God of all, whoever and wherever we are, we thank you this morning for friends and family, for generations and neighbours. Amen.