Rabbit on the Dog and Bone

I’m thinking about getting one of those old fashioned phones. You know, the ones with the dial on the front and a long spiral cord that we used to tangle our fingers in. Forget Smart phones that text, Whatsapp, message and email – I want to dial a number and talk. I realise this might sound a little crazy to some but what has happened to the art of conversation?

Let’s face it, funerals bring people together. Once the emotional upheaval of the service is over, the wake becomes a time to catch up and share memories with the ones left behind, especially the family. It’s easy to get caught up in the occasion and promise to be on the other end of a phone whenever you may be needed but for those left behind at the end of the day, promises fade like the flowers filling the corners of an empty house. The daily calls becomes occasional texts and eventually social media reminders of birthdays and the such like. It’s easy to feel forgotten and isolated, trust me I know the feeling. I felt hurt that my so-called friends and funeral attendees no longer wanted to know if I was okay but it took the death of my father in law for me to see things from the other side, sometimes you have to be the one to reach out and say hello. No one knows you need them until you pick up the dog and bone but no one feels remembered until someone reminds them.

Loneliness is, to me, a very subjective term. I don’t feel lonely but I hate being alone. I’m not really alone though, my dogs are great conversationalists, it’s very Shirley Valentine here. But I miss the companionship of another human, someone you can share your daily mind bubbles with. Someone who you can have an in depth debate with over dinner without drool pooling at your feet. Someone who rings you in the middle of the working day just to see how you’re feeling. Someone who can join the daily dog gossip, I’m not convinced some of my canine compatriots share my political views ( well they do have German, Scottish, Romanian, Norfolk, Mexican and Yorkshire loyalties). I’m in no rush however, it’s still kinda nice to curl up with a warm ball of terrier and listen to the dreams of squirrels, sticks and sandwiches….

‘‘They never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation’ (Jerome K Jerome)