Is It A Real Connection?

Something strange happened over the weekend, and I'm not sure how to feel about it.

Disney had a crash with its monorails and someone was killed. Although tragic and unusual, that isn't what is perplexing me.

I've been keeping in touch with a friend of mine from high school via a networking website. No personal pictures, limited direct messages, mostly generic comments on their status. Just enough to let them know somebody was thinking of them.

I first heard of the crash by people leaving condolence messages for her. She wasn't hurt or involved, but undoubtedly knew the operator. I wasn't the only one confused. Somebody else questioned what was going on, and I followed a link to a news story that was provided by way of explanation.

Had I heard about the crash by standard news channels, I would have been interested and concerned. Yet knowing that somebody I knew was near the crash made it more vivid and dramatic. But I keep thinking that I don't really know her. Know OF her, yes. I used to be familiar with her. Had she been the one that died, I doubt my life would change a bit. I don't even know that she actually works there; I have to take her claim at face value.

So is this a real emotional connection? It seems so, since it made the reaction stronger. But I can't get over the feeling that it is more illusion than connection.