Communication

I wonder, sometimes, how we managed. Nowadays, we have almost instant communication through the Internet with friends, enemies, acquaintances and outright strangers. Yet, at only 49 (almost 50!), I can remember learning about the post office and how it was a marvel for getting letters and packages to us from far away in only a few days. When how to write post cards and letters, how to type, how to make a long distance call was part of the lessons at school. And the telephone, oh the wonder of it all! You could pick up the phone and call anyone. It was a marvel to my great grandmother to speak to us, with her in one city and us in another.

Now? A lesson in how to place a phone call would get a funny look from even first graders. I dare say, most of the younger elementary students have never HEARD of a typewriter. Indeed, many of the high school kids I have worked with are hazy about what one would look like. A grammar book I was using had a picture of one and the student asked where the monitor was. When I explained it didn't have one and that a person was responsible for making the the machine print directly on the paper (I didn't even try to explain "keys"), she looked at me as if I HAD to be kidding her...

Post cards are another thing the kids have almost never seen. Oh, they're made, and there are even sites online where customized postcard printing is offered. I even get some post cards in the mail from companies offering deals on things....and I suppose, that's where post cards are, now...a new part of the junk mail that feeds my compost pile. (I just love a good shredder.)

What'cha gonna do? I can't begin to predict where all this is going. I just hope to be around long enough to enjoy the journey...