Hi, John.

After contemplating your suggestion some more, I'm back in order to apologize for perhaps sounding too baldly dismissive...

I got to thinking about people who I wish I could still talk to. When my sister passed away too soon several years ago, I started to realize that I can no longer just pick up the phone and have a nice conversation with her. This, I find saddening.

Likewise, although at times she could try my patience, I regret that I can no longer talk with my mom by phone. She was probably the greatest cheerleader I've had in my life. She always told me that I could do anything that I set my mind to. I really, truly miss that!

Unhappily, I think that I'll still have to end on more or less the same note... I think that there are probably good and sufficient theological reasons why such a "technological breakthrough" would be some combination of unwise and unattainable... But it will still be hard, now, to shake the thought. ;)