Where do I begin?

At 00:20 on the first of January 2004 I texted a good friend of mine in Zimbabwe to wish her Happy New Year. I received a text back enquiring who I am. I wrote back and said what do you mean who am I?

The reply knocked me for 6 and reduced me to immediate tears.

"Maria was killed in a car crash last night".

Now, I have much experience dealing with cultures where when confronted with a death folks speak matter of factly about things. I was nevertheless amazed and depressed for days.

I tried to call the number a few times and the line was disconnected.

Imagine my shock five years later, when I receive an email from Maria saying, "Hi Toks, long time since we've spoken, how are you? Here is my new email address."

Can anyone shed some theory on this?