I got an email in my inbox this evening about someone who was less than satisfied about what I wrote about her missing son and wanted me to make changes. As long-time readers of this blog know, such communiques are not uncommon. I sent the standard response, asking what I could do to help her.
Slight problem, though: the email ARRIVED in my inbox this evening, but according to gmail it was SENT a full week ago. The poor woman probably thought I was ignoring her all this time. Fortunately I noticed the discrepancy as I was sending the reply, and added a note to my email to her explaining that for some reason I hadn’t gotten her message for a week. I hope she believes me.
I don’t think this has ever happened before, but if it does in the future I’ll have to tell gmail customer service about it. She could have reached me faster by sending me a postcard!
The Charley Project Blog 
Give yourself a break. You did what you should have done and replied to her. There are people who don’t even reply to emails/texts/etc. unless it’s something that benefits them. Plus you’ve been quite sick.
She could easily have her computer set to the wrong date/ time. Generally emails won’t bounce around cyberspace any longer than 96 hours (4 days). If you’re within that timeframe chalk it up to technical issues. If you’re outside that window its more likely date/ time / timezone on senders pc. This is of course assuming you’re downloading your email regularly and did not just miss this one on accident.