February 2003

High Tech For Real Life Folks
by Verna Oakley

The following note is an exact letter I received from a 69 year old woman regarding a note to her son. It is a wonderful description of how two generations try and bridge a gap of technology. Now this lady remembers when coke was a nickel, and there was no TV. Today there is so much high tech stuff that one of that area can just hardly comprehend. (Note: Some of the original spelling and how it was used adds to the endearment of this communication.)

"Hey, Mom, How about you trying it? We can converse in real time ! Share what is happening in our lives (assuming we have one) at the moment!"

"Great! (says Mom) How do I do that?"...

(Son sees beginning of problem) "No problem, Mom, just follow these simple instructions and we will be ready to go" (simple instructions followed).

"Wow! First message between two generations of the Our clan transfers over the internet" . . . Son replies immediately . . . no reply from Mom. \

Son queries Mom, "Are you there?"

Mom responds to Son's first message . . . Son's wife joins conversation . . . Mom is falling far behind . . . conversation is becoming confusing . . . kids are very patient and understand Mom's limitation with her current "hunt and peck system" and encourage her. (She ask's a lot of questions) (Forgot how talkative she is) (Whoops, she had to go somewhere for a sec . . . is that somebody at the door?) . . . O.K. She's back . . . (Son still very patient)

Long pauses . . . "Oh,No! Mom has discovered Emoticons! Signing off, now, Mom . . . Will you be home tomorrow?"

"I'LL CALL YOU"

"I love you MOM"