Six Degrees of Separation

I got an email today from Terry. It is close to the holidays, and I always hear from him during the holidays. My friendship with Terry, which I’ll get into in just a moment, is six degrees of separation at its very finest.

If you’re unfamiliar with the basic concept of six degrees of separation, it is simply a human web – six people or less connect any given human to any other person on Earth. For example, my dear friend, Renee, was once a neighbor to Kim, who happened to be a close friend of my niece (she is married to my husband’s nephew, Ronnie). Renee met my niece, Cindy, through Kim long before she met me. I met Kim and her friend, Kristen, through Renee. Kristen’s boyfriend, Eddie, used to work with Alan, Renee’s husband, at Foot Locker back in the day. I am connected to Matthew Maconahay through Kristen, and to Peter Frampton through Renee, and they are connected to P. Diddy through me, but these are all freaky stories for another day.

Terry and I are strictly virtual friends. A couple of years ago around Thanksgiving, a close family member was diagnosed with a terminal illness. "Reply to All" emails would go out to the family with health updates, as well as basic holiday scheduling for November and December. My inbox would fill-up with responses from everyone, but I kept getting these random emails from "Terry Arnold." He’d write, "I’m bringing coconut cake for Christmas," which was strange, since we have Christmas breakfast. No one else seemed to notice that we’d acquired a new family member named Terry. After about a week of this, I finally did my own "reply to all" email asking if Terry was a newly discovered sibling (stranger things have happened – my husband’s father was quite the tomcat, from what I understand). But, I collect strays, and I will certainly welcome anyone into the family who will bring coconut cake.

Terry emailed me back. He had been waiting for someone to notice his virtual "fly on the wall" presence. My sister-in-law had typed in an incorrect email address on the initial email, and Terry got in the loop from all the "reply to all" responses. Terry, currently residing in DC, turned out to be originally from TN. He was simply mesmerized by my family’s email correspondences . . . and these are the days of our lives.

I’ve learned a few things about Terry over the years. He’s in a band, he had a band-mate who beat an illness similar to the one discussed in our many family emails years ago, he makes a killer peanut brittle in the microwave (he sent me the recipe; he actually uses cashews instead of peanuts), and he never fails to ask about my family member who is currently fighting her illness with courage, strength, wit, and faith. But, he’s family now, after all. We’ll be celebrating our Thanksgiving this Saturday at my house at noon. And on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for six degrees of separation. Don’t forget to bring the coconut cake.

Terry’s Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe:
1 c sugar
1/2 c light Karo syrup
1 c chopped peanuts, cashews, or walnuts (I used cashews)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda

Butter cookie sheet & set aside. In 8-cup measure cup or 8 cup microwave safe bowl (I use glass) combine sugar & syrup. Mix well. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Stir. Microwave for an additional 3 -7 minutes (this will vary based on your microwave. Mine takes 7 mines.) You want to microwave it until the mixture turns light brown in color.

Add nuts, cinnamon, & butter, & vanilla. Stir. Microwave for an additional minute. Take out of microwave. Add baking soda. Stir until light & foamy. Pour onto buttered cookie sheet. Cool 30 minutes or until firm. Break into 2 inch pieces.