When it comes to today's technology, my mother would say, "I don't get it."
And I'd respond by saying, "Me, either, Mom. Anymore than I understand how we see television programs."
But even with her not getting it, she'd always follow along during conversations about the intricacies of laptops, cell phones, newspaper production, etc.
Even at 94 years of age, she understood the terms we used most often at the dinner table when talking about the day's events: tablets, smart phones, iPod, pagination, dummy clerk, Saxo, Facebook, skyping, etc. When she'd call me at work on Thursdays, she'd start off with, "Did you get your dummies on time? Are you finished paginating?"
Mother didn't use a computer or a cell phone, but she did love to read, and when she had completed one book, we'd make a trip to Sam's Club to buy another. (Sam's Club carried her favorite author, Debbie Macomber.) When I suggested we buy a Nook, she hesitated. The thought of using something she considered to be "high-tech" scared the bajeebies out of her. But when I showed her how easy it was to use mine, and how she could order the next book without waiting for me to take her to the store, she was ready, willing and able.
I must admit, it was so cute seeing Mother in bed with her Nook - it still puts a smile on my face.
Technology - where would we be today without it?
My cell phone buzzes all day long, notifying me of each and every little thing being said on Facebook, often vibrating right off my desk; something I've hated. Yet, it never has notified me when I receive a text message.
Not knowing enough about my phone to know where to begin to look within its settings to change that notification thing, or even to know there was such a thing as settings - I asked my son for help.
At which time, someone else asked, "How long have you had that phone?"
Hmmm...
At first, I was offended.
Learning how to use a smart phone takes undivided attention, in my opinion. Sitting and doing nothing else. Because of my nearly 60-years of multi-tasking, giving undivided attention to anything for any length of time is actually hard for me to accomplish.
I don't sit still. I'm a mover. I'm a doer.
I don't watch TV (other than a half-hour at 9 p.m. on Wednesday nights to watch Modern Family and the occasional overseas trip with International House Hunters). I sometimes have the television on in the background, while I'm sewing or painting - doing things.
I'm a doer. I don't sit around. I don't nap.
If I read, I'm reading while I'm on the treadmill or while I'm riding my stationary bike. I don't sit and read.
I'm a mover and doer.
I realize not everyone is like that, but I always have been.
Some might think I've avoided the "glory of technology" by moving into the 21st century kicking and screaming all the way. I don't entirely disagree. Technology scares the bajeebies out of me. Unlike the generation behind the Boomers, I was not born with a chip in my brain (maybe a chip on my shoulder, ha ha). I am, however, a quick study; can still learn how to do most anything in record-breaking time. But without user manuals, I'm a bit lost, apprehensive and, frankly, intimidated. Without taking notes, I have nothing to refer back to when I'm struggling with something.
So, when that person asked, "How long have you had that phone?" it took me back to when Mother hesitated to get a Nook, because she, like me, was intimidated by technology. And yet, look how we think using a Nook is so simple today -- probably the easiest of all things considered to be in the "high-tech" family.
Two things popped into my head: my lack of understanding regarding my mother's fears about using a Nook, and how this person lacked the same understanding of my same fears.
It happens all day, every day. "How can that person be that way?"
Judgements.
Rarely do we know what goes into the reasoning behind why a person is the way he/she is; why a person makes certain decisions; why a person avoids certain things, dresses a certain way or eats certain foods; why a person seems to refuse to learn something new.
It is with that realization - the asking of that simple question - that has helped me make the decision to set aside time two nights a week and learn something new about my cell phone.
I learned something new about myself just from someone asking how long I'd had the phone.
Imagine what I'll learn when I actually dive into it and become one with its globalization.
Mother, I don't get it, but I'm now willing to try.
