#16 Don't Like Phones

​Dreaded Calls in 2016

Even when I was a teenager, I didn't like spending time on the phone. Four years ago, (when I started this Not Happy List) I really started hating the phone.  

There was that dreaded phone call 3 years ago, that brought bad news of biopsy results. I spent the next 7 days on the phone. I was constantly on-hold, with medical and insurance offices. I waited for return calls and jumped when the phone rang. I eventually had to get rid of the ringtone that reminded me of that time.

Now I Love the Phone

Lately, I've been feeling so grateful for my phone. Especially since my son-in-law (who happens to work for Apple) was able to help me shop for a good one. Just as my old cell was dying, my new one arrived. It came just in time, as the news was making me feel more edgy and uncertain.

Now the phone is making me feel safe and connected with family and friends. The battery no longer dies every 5 minutes. I can read important articles or escape with funny videos.

I can even entertain myself, learning how to use the fancy camera... even though there's not much going on to photograph.
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Lately my phone has been buzzing with texts. There are amusing group texts, with my siblings and with our kids... and friends. Humorous links keep us laughing and the serious updates keep us informed. Don and I even text each other from different rooms. Crazy. I have to watch myself, or an hour can slip by. Everyone is communicating these days.

The Best Use

But, with all of our daily schedules changing, new habits and routines are emerging. Lately, I've been trying to step out of my comfort zone (which is texts and email) and I've phoned a few of the elderly friends that I've grown to love, through my volunteering. What a comfort, to hear their voices and to know they're okay. I call my dad daily and feel relief when his voice sounds strong. A 4th died today at his assisted living center.

​And today, I spoke with my old high school buddy in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lorie and I saw each other last summer for the first time in many years. For over 40 years, we've tried to keep in touch with letters, then emails, then texts. But today, we talked on the phone! Because, why not?

It felt great to hear Lorie's voice. She still laughs like she did, when we were 17. Now, we are in that "over 60 vulnerable group" that everyone is worried about. Yikes, how is that possible? 
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So thanks to Covid,  some of us are getting a much needed push to connect with others. This ugly disease may be forcing people to keep their distance, but it's also inspiring some of us to talk and share more!

I love my fancy iPhone with all it's abilities, but it's the old fashioned "talking part" of the phone, that I really appreciate!
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