Sandwiched
My mom’s facility did something wonderful – they helped set up a Zoom call so Mom’s family could visit and see her. When my brother told me about this opportunity I was incredibly excited. Not only would I see Mom, but so many other people that I loved and have been missing. And it was all going to be a surprise for my mother!
I got up earlier than normal to put on a bit of makeup, a concept during these challenging times, and practically counted down the minutes. Soon my family and I logged in and could see my sister and her fiancé, my brother and his wife, and two nephews and their families. My heart leapt to see them all.
Mom joined us a few minutes later. We had some chuckles throughout the call, as half the time we could only see her from the nose up. Mom has jokingly called herself “technologically brain dead” for years and mentioned this fact once again. But she was so happy to see everyone and said so a couple of times.
While things weren’t perfect – we couldn’t hear my sister and she was in the dark at times – it felt wonderful to catch up with everyone. We hung up a half hour later and I felt blessed. We hope we can do another call in the future.
I also felt grateful for this technology.
If someone would have told me 20 years ago that I would make that statement, I would have laughed in their face. I’ve resisted most technology since I was a teenager. When my friends were using computers during college, I still worked on a typewriter. Granted, it was a pretty advanced one, but a typewriter nonetheless.
I absolutely hated – HATED – cell phones when they came out. I’m a private person (really!) and didn’t like the idea of having to be attached to something all of the time. In fact, when I lost my phone years ago, I was relieved.
Fast forward to today where my very livelihood depends on technology. For almost three years, my office has literally been my laptop – I don’t keep paper copies of anything and I work at the corner of my dining room table. The Internet is crucial for my grant consulting business. If it’s down, I frown (look at me rhyming)!
And that phone I hated so much years ago? It’s also vital for not just business, but for keeping in touch with my teenage sons. I know I’ll like it even more when they both move out of the house for college soon and I easily text them.
I’m sure with this virus that most of us are feeling grateful for technology. It’s brought us together, enabled us to share joy, and helped us feel somewhat normal in a rather insane world. I’ve definitely changed my technophobic ways and look forward to seeing my mama again soon.