The Friends You Keep
‘Hello, Pal,’ she said.
‘Greetings, Fellow,’ I said.
‘It seems there is an error in the content you just posted on Facebook,’ she said.
‘Really. . . ?’
I had read through the content and proofread it three times before publishing it. Spotting an error by Kate in the piece seemed less true. I was overly confident in my proofreading skills, particularly on this very content. But how excellent is any human on this earth? Her revelation humbled me.
‘Check the first line. You wrote H in place of G. Or was it an intentional act? I think it is an error, comparing it to the previous similar posts you’ve made in the same series’.
‘Oh my. . . . I’d get to it immediately. Thank you, so much!’
‘Don’t mention, Pal. My pleasure it was. . . .’
I had just gone off the internet, about 30 minutes after I had made the post.
This was not the first time such happened between Kate and me. With a few other friends also.
The incident got me thinking. Had Kate not stumbled on that piece, how else could I have spotted the error early enough? I could be more focused on the comments and reactions which follow the post that I may likely not get to read the caption again. Some other persons may have noticed the error but prefer to keep mum; for thoughtful reasons, I choose to believe. Imagine suggesting a correction in the comment: Though embarrassing, it is not bad after all. Yet, not everyone can get to that extent. Some may have considered sending a DM suggesting the correction: but going that route is a lot of work for many in this fast-paced society.
Interestingly, Kate had already sent a DM suggesting a correction for the error before placing the phone call. That cost her some data and airtime, you know. But she thought it worthwhile an endeavour to undertake for the credibility of a friend.
I have a vague memory of having done the same for Kate. The other fellows who have done likewise, I am certain to have suggested edits for their works also. All of these we do for each other at no cost.
Observe and learn that, there are way fewer folks who ensure and demand excellence in the content on the internet. Errors—of ignorance, omission, or intention—are hardly distinguished on the internet. Probably just amongst the folks I stumble upon on the social media space. It may not count as much for some people, but it does for my friends and I. Poorly edited content puts some people off. It does. A friend of mine dropped a book before going halfway as a result of having to fix omissions (and the likes) almost on every two-page turn. It gets that far.
Given this, I must also appreciate some other persons (subscribers) who reach out to me to suggest an edit for contents from this newsletter. It means a lot to me. I don’t take such gestures for granted. Kate had also done so for a despatch (On Social Action and Evangelism).
No human on this earth is perfect really. That is why we are different from each other. Your strength may be my weakness. Relationships become the conveyance upon which we ride to meet each other’s needs. Value them and make the most of them.
Please, say a prayer for Kate. And do not forget to be a Kate to others in the many other ways you can. Also, do not forget to confess gratitude for others who have been Kate to you in many other subtle ways.
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