I DON'T BELONG IN THIS WORLD
Some months prior to Mom's illness, she began telling me "I don't belong in this world. Everything is too bewildering." I would always reply, "well, you belong in my world!" Since her passing I have thought about this comment she made. Remembering her life when I was young, we got our first TV in 1955 and she would carefully show me how to change the channels. Oh, my parents were so proud of that first TV! We got channels 2, 4, and 6 and all my friends came over to watch with us the first night. Mom didn't get a clothes dryer until the 60's and this was another exciting time. Dad also purchased a small freezer and they were so delighted to freeze their garden produce. Our new phone was installed on the wall and one thought long and hard before making a long distance call. Dad went to the neighbors house and called home so we could take turns answering it! All your conversations were, of course, held for everyone to hear and we were all fine with that! Grandpa, who lived next door, refused to get a phone at all, declaring he didn't want to talk to anyone he couldn't see! Thinking back about all these things, no wonder she was bewildered. Her satellite TV with all the stations and remote controls with buttons she was afraid to push. We thought she would be so thrilled to have all these options. Oh, how she longed for the old days, she would say.
Baby Boomers today are quite smug with our smart phones, IPads, texting and tweeting away. We love our satellite TV stations and our DVR's. There is nothing exciting about watching a TV show and unlimited long distance is just taken for granted. Will the day come when we too are bewildered and feeling left out in this world? Will we long for the old days? Where will technology take us next? The most important things are, of course, our families. Here we can feel the sense of belonging no matter what kind of shape the world is in. It is important for our young people to interact often with their elders to make them feel accepted, especially those who live alone. Listen to your mothers and fathers and understand when they are bewildered and confused. Encourage them to learn if they want to, nod in agreement if they don't. The world will never stop changing. But we can and should always make sure our loved ones belong in it.
Baby Boomers today are quite smug with our smart phones, IPads, texting and tweeting away. We love our satellite TV stations and our DVR's. There is nothing exciting about watching a TV show and unlimited long distance is just taken for granted. Will the day come when we too are bewildered and feeling left out in this world? Will we long for the old days? Where will technology take us next? The most important things are, of course, our families. Here we can feel the sense of belonging no matter what kind of shape the world is in. It is important for our young people to interact often with their elders to make them feel accepted, especially those who live alone. Listen to your mothers and fathers and understand when they are bewildered and confused. Encourage them to learn if they want to, nod in agreement if they don't. The world will never stop changing. But we can and should always make sure our loved ones belong in it.
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