Medium Around the World

It is a small world

Whenever I think of the song, “It’s a Small World,” it gets stuck in my head, forever and a day. Do you hear it now?

Sorry about that.

Truth is, for me, the world is not small. My lifetime travels are limited. That bothers me because it means I haven’t known many people of different cultures, at least not deeply. Even here in the States, there are many places I’ve never been.

Fast forward to days of Medium —

For the first time in my life, I can say I have friends across the globe. I’m not talking about acquaintances, I meant to say friends. Yes, friends I care about. I wonder how they are if I don’t hear from them. Sometimes their name comes to mind in my prayers. I even share them with hubby.

Me: Douglas Lim wrote a humorous poem.

Hubby: Is he the guy in Portugal?

Me: No, that’s Rui Alves.

Hubby: How are the couple doing that had COVID-19 recently?

Me: Oh, Pamela Oglesby and her husband are much better. On another subject, did you know there are over 500 types of oranges? My friend Ashllyn T. wrote about the health benefits. Oh — I forgot to show you the video Jan Sebastian posted of alligators that roam around in front of her house. She lives in Florida but was raised in California, I think.

Hubby: Is she the Playboy bunny that was a professional wrestler?

Me: Yes, that’s her!

You get the idea. I think about Trisha Faye in Texas, Toni The Talker in Illinois, Britt H. in Malaysia, and so on. When I can’t remember where someone is from, like Nour Boustani, I get frustrated.

It’s not like Facebook where you know what someone had for lunch but nothing personal or meaty revealing who they are when the computer turns off.

I realize it might sound like I don’t have a life. That’s so not true. My life is rich with close friends, bear hugs and intimate conversations. Indeed, I can’t hold the hands of my virtual friends or wipe a tear from their face. Even so, the bond is real.

I’ve made a decision I need your help with. I would like anyone who reads this to let me know in the comments where you live. I promise I’m not a stalker, just give me the state or country. I plan to hang a world map on the wall of my office with little pins representing all of you. I had to scrap my first idea of requesting photos, as my wall might look like a criminal investigation wall or a serial killer’s plot.

When I read your work, I’ll be able to look up at my map and know where you are in this small world.

Thanks.

Hopefully, that pesty song is out of your head now.

It’s a small world after all..

OOPS!

I am tagging those I think may be interested in this story and others who are my favorite writers and supporters. If you prefer I don’t tag you, please let me know.

Michele Maize, Scot Butwell, Joe Merkle, Elizabeth Emerald, Annelise Lords, Susan Wheelock, Douglas Lim, Hollie Petit, Ph.D., Grace Bianco, Lori Wangler, Bett Harris, Lu Skerdoo, Jan Sebastian 🖐👩‍🦰, B.R. Shenoy, Britt H., Trisha Faye, Ashllyn T., Shanti C K, Dawn Ulmer, Julie KingGood, Toni The Talker, Lu Skerdoo, Margie Pearl

Check out our book about God’s love for two looney-tune drunks.