TOTALLY GEEKED!

DEAR ABBY: While waiting for my chemotherapy to finish along with two other patients (all three of us have little time left), one of them made a comment about his wife. She was sitting next to him as a visitor, continuously using her cellphone. He said, "She always plays games or talks on her phone while I just sit here!" He looked so sad.

I understand, because my husband does the same thing and has for years. Yesterday morning my husband came out of the bedroom and said, "How are you this morning?" I turned around and asked, "Are you talking to me?" It took a moment for me to realize he was actually addressing me and not someone on the other end of the phone. How sad! -- NEAR THE END

DEAR NEAR: I agree that it's sad. Your spouses will have the rest of their lives to regret the meaningful conversations they missed having, and the important things that were left unsaid because they were too busy hiding from reality on their cellphones.