Pinecones and Roses

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Keeping in Touch

My mother is 86 years old and, as most of you know, in a nursing home now. About 10 years ago when I started feeling a little more comfortable with the computer I tried to encourage her to get one. We have a situation with her husband so we didn't feel comfortable buying her one. He did get one but he wouldn't let her touch it nor accept help trying to learn it. And there's no way in the world he could learn it. So it went by the wayside. There's not a day goes by that I don't wish that she had that option. Of course she's getting too weak and lacks much interest in anything. It would be so wonderful to share pictures with her or just little notes or just to keep in touch but it's too late.

I'm so thankful that I have this option to keep in touch with my daughters and grandchildren. We're also on a photoblog program and exchange photos with each other as well as my son in law, niece and my sister and now my husband has decided to join in the fun. Then there's e-mail and they read my blog, too, from time to time. One of my daughter's has her own blog http://stinkpotstudio.blogspot.comWe still talk on the phone and keep in touch, there's nothing like hearing their voice, but the computer is a very powerful tool. It also keeps me in touch with you and your life through blogging and that's just plain wonderful.

My point is I only wish that my mother and I could have the opportunity that I have with my family. Maybe the computer has a lot of drawbacks but it's pretty darn awesome too.

6 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

I agree completely.What a wonderful tool to stay in touch with people.I'm glad I have found the avenue of the blog as well.
Have a great day!
Ruth

Laurie said...

Hi Diane, I popped over to your daughter's site, what talent! Everything is so pretty, and her choice of colors, love the red and teal, are awesome! Thanks for sharing her site!
Laurie

Jayne said...

My mom was resistant at first too, but her computer has brought her such joy each day. I know what you mean about being able to keep in touch in such a different way. It's really extraordinary how we can be impacted by on-line community.

Lynn said...

My mom is 84 and she LOVES her computer. She has reconnected with many of her friends from all their travels in life as well as keeping in touch with all her kids, grandkids, and greatgrandkids! My daddy, who is 86, refuses to learn anything but FREECELL, SOLITAIRE and games but he loves when mother gets email!

Name: Amanda said...

Laurie and Deena were sweet and visited Stinkpot Studio. I'm not sure how to reply . . . I tried but I'm technically challenged. Maybe that skips a generation? Poor Grandma. At least she has her beads, that seems to make her happy. Love you and love blogging. Bean

Lena said...

Hi Diane,

Thank you so much for the kind comments you've been leaving for me. I too agree that the computer is a wonderful tool, not only for communication, but for creativity as well.
I was very resistant to the computer when my husband first brought one into our home. I'd heard so many stories about computers crashing and all sorts of things. That was a long time ago now, but I still remember being afraid that I would never learn to use it, or that I would cause something terrible to happen. My husband was so wonderful. He told me to just go for it, and to never be afraid to just push a button to see what it would do. He was the first one to tell me to go ahead and try to run fabric through the printer. What's the worst that can happen, he asked? I took what I learned, and taught my dad, and then my stepmom to use their computer. Now they each have one! They love recieving mail and seeing their grandchildren's pictures. They read my blog, and some of my reader's blogs too. I'm simply amazed at the technology. Just think, in just moments we send photos to one another over phone lines! I wonder what will come next?