That was Different

Well yesterday did not go according to script.  For months Tuesday mornings has been for preparation for the lunch time zoom meeting and the in-person group at night.
I examine what someone has said and highlight what stands out to me and add my own thoughts and questions.  Sometimes if something occurs to me or I do not understand what was said I ask a question knowing that there is a good chance others have ideas I like.  More than once that sort of thing has been helpful to me.
Yesterday was different.  A meeting was unexpectedly called, and it turned out most could make it in that morning.
Normally I have had a good look at what will be discussed.  I have a system.  Questions and thoughts I may have, are highlighted in blue, while emphasising what has been said I highlight in pink.
It was the first time ever I had no highlighting.  Fortunately, I had been thinking about some of the stuff said already.   I felt ready although not in the traditional way.
It turned out the zoom get together was different anyway.  One person never made it at all.  Another could only get on with a picture of themselves and type stuff.  We could not hear or see them.  Another person was having trouble breathing.  They normally have a lot of good stuff to say.  They did yesterday, but I really felt I should shorten the get together to prevent them trying to talk.
They are the sort of person that will say stuff despite themselves.  I felt that to go on would have been selfish.  We all had access to what was being looked at.  I had explained I had not had time to look at what we were looking at in the usual way in the hope that others would say stuff.  Turned out the ones who normally say the most, either were not there, or having trouble breathing (they had been to the doctor and had just got back so were in the same situation as me.)
I did like that someone who normally has less to say said more.  And I am sure the one who could not be seen or heard would have said more if the situation was different.
But as usual we had a really good time together.  We all love those times.  The content and the company is something we all look forward to.  The circumstances may have been different, but the sense of togetherness was not.  We are kilometres from each other, but we are always of one heart and mind.  For me that is a great place to be.