Taken Back by Technology

I used to sit there, folding each note so precisely for myfriends. Learned a few tricks from my older brother and sister, of course.Thought I was real cool passing notes in school, in the hallways, during lunch andbefore 8^th period. Talking about everything that just went on andwriting about what was going to happen by the time the bell rang.

I remember when something went "viral" it was all thanksto “party line.” Yup, my parents added that to the phone bill because we were so cool. So I was able tocall more than one friend at a time. Don't get me started on Caller ID. Now that's when you knew you were moving on up.

I miss those days. I'm sick and tired of my computer screen, buttons, lights, rings, beeps, low batteries, processing and downloading. People in my business say, one day newspapers will be gone forever as media crosses into the digital world. I hope not. Holding something tangible to read is comforting. Using a bookmark to hold your place takes but a second. I can't remember the last time someone wrote me a letter and mailed it. I wonder if my nieces and nephews even know how to address an envelope.

Whelp, as the youngest of six kids, I realize I'm gettingold–er. My teenage niece, Niah Tyler, smiles politely, but giggles aloudwhen I ask if she’s heard of the latest…

“Yup, have it,” she says usually as she's glued to her iPhone.  

Wait a minute. I should have the edge on these kids when it comes to technology. But instead it shows how far technology has intertwined witheveryday classroom curriculum. For crying out loud, my 4-year old nephew knows how to pull up a website to play games and he can't even read yet. Forget ABC's he sure does know his URL's.

It's weird to think how we got by before cell phones. In high school, if I could have texted my friends before lunch to see where we were going to eat, I would have. But instead we just met by the tree in front of the school. If I could have texted my mom that I seriouslydidn’t feel good, then I wouldn't have needed a nurse’s pass. If I was stuck on a question during a final exam, then I would have texted...nevermind.

I digress. Oregon trail, anyone? Yup. I’m pretty good atshooting and hunting using up and down arrows. What about a pen pal? The good ol’ postal service delivering in impeccable time. My cousin was in shock when he saw my aunt pull out an encyclopedia to look something up. I'm sure he questioned why she wouldn't just Google it? I guess for kids now-and-days all that is obsolete.

I had my three-year-old niece, Leyla, crying on the phone to me because her “best cousin” Kiley didn’t have Skype installed yet. Are you kidding me? My sister Debra was so confused.

But to my surprise, I was happy to learn not everything has gone digital. I sat in my older sister’s living room. Surrounded by, wellsurround-sound speakers, a flat screen TV, every gaming system you can imagine andevery remote control device on deck. Nothing short of “Rosie” the robot walkingin and asking if I needed anything.

As it hit close to four o’clock that Friday, my sister’syoungest runs in.

“Mom!” He yelled like the most exciting thing took place inhis life as a third-grader.

“Tommy has the coolest pencil I have ever seen – ever!” Asmy nephew Elijah put his backpack, PSP and Android down on the the kitchen table.

"What does it do?” Mysister asked and looked at me confused.

“He has this pencil…that if you run out of the led, youlike keep pushing the eraser and like more led keeps coming out. Like youdon’t even have to sharpen it, mom! If we can, I want one.”

Did this boy just reference a mechanical pencil like it wasthe last of Steve Job’s inventions?

Hold up. Hearing that actually made me happy. Finally, going back to basics. History does repeatitself.

So while my nieces and nephews may not know what it’s liketo go to the office to use the school phone, write notes to friends or send a letter by mail. I was happy to see the following in their roomstoday:

 

It was good to see Seventeen Magazine was still going strong, that library books were still stamped and the Goosebumps collection has yet to get old.

Nonetheless, I find my nieces and nephews helping me out with my devices moreoften than not. On a side note, Oregon Trail MUST be at 7.0 by now?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kind of Heartache I Long For

I was in line at Wendy's during lunch. Just a junior in high school with my friends trying to "act cool." As I stood in line I stared at such a familiar face waiting by the entrance, not sure if she remembered me and not even sure if I was certain I knew her.

But I thought I'd try anyway. An older man walked up to her grabbed her hand and helped her out. That's when I knew for sure it was them. My Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary.

He embraced me with a hug and a smile...a real big smile. She smiled too but seemed a little confused as to who I was. He told her,"It's Hilda's daughter! The youngest." She smiled politely and nodded.

I look back at that and now know at that time she had been through a stroke. That's why she was puzzled when I approached them. He stayed by her side and had taken care of her every single day as he promised -- through sickness and in health.

We all called him "Uncle Tom." That's who he was, even though in my early teenage years I found out he was actually my grandma's little brother. So really he was my mom's uncle -- a great uncle to me -- and that's for sure!

He was there when I said bye to my grandma. It was so nice to see a part of her walking around lifting others spirits. He said bye to his sister, but cradled us in conversation. In the midst of the sadness that day he told me,"Come home to El Paso so we can watch you here! Where your family is!" I was a news reporter in Amarillo at the time. I smiled, but never saw myself coming back home to work in my hometown.

My Aunt Mary's condition dwindled as the years went on. He never left her side. He took care of her and in his 70s, it took a toll on him as well. Tending to his wife for every need. Every single need. Real love. They grew old together and a couple years ago we lost her. But he lost a piece of him that we would never get back.

I've been through my share of heartache. From a high school sweetheart to a college crush and all hurt the same. A weight on my chest like I'd never be able to breathe again. But I found you get stronger. You move on. That's because it wasn't meant, because I believe soul mates last forever.

My Uncle Tom died of a broken heart this morning. I stared and watched my mother tell me sometimes you just miss your wife or husband sooo bad your heart just goes. Tears gracefully rolled down her cheeks. I held my mom and stared at my dad sleeping on the bed next to her.

If ever there's a heartache I long for: It'll be one where I've lived my whole life, but leave this earth because my soul mate takes my breath away.

My grandma and my Aunt Mary have their husband and brother back.

I hold onto to the card my Uncle Tom wrote me while I was in Dallas. In his obscure and messy cursive handwriting, that after a while takes a uniform pattern just like my grandma's did, he tells me to keep on pushing in my career.

Well, Uncle Tom, I'm back home in El Paso. I'm certain you're watching over all of us. After all, that is what family is all about.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 KJV

"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Psalm 34:17,18 KJV