A
new TV was the ideal gift for my husband, Hank’s, 80th
birthday. As we shopped, I insisted I didn’t want another TV
set with two remote controls. Well, my wish was granted; it came with
three remote controls. Uh-oh.
A
technician spent four hours setting it up outside and inside. Then
for 30 minutes he explained its high tech capabilities to Hank and
me. He gave us a stack of papers and a multi-page users’ manual
and went on his way.
But
how do you turn the thing on and off? Somehow I had missed that in
the deluge of information.
Just
then the doorbell rang. The technician was back, asking if we had a
broom or something with a long handle. He had locked his keys inside
his van. Ah, my confidence was restored. You see, I knew all about
brooms.
The
following poem appeared on my iPad from a former missionary companion
from my first mission as I was writing this. Just for fun I’m
including it here. It is a loving tribute to all the grandmas and
grandpas who have been fearless in learning to use the computer.
The computer swallowed Grandma.
Yes, honestly it’s true!
She pressed “control” and “enter”
And disappeared from view.
It devoured her completely.
The thought just makes me squirm.
She must have caught a virus,
Or been eaten by a worm.
I’ve searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind.
I’ve even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.
In desperation I asked Mr. Google
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found “on-line.”
So, if inside your “inbox,”
My grandma you should see,
Please “Copy, Scan” and “Paste” her
And send her back to me.
A native of Salt Lake City, Daryl Hoole has written and lectured extensively on home
management and family living. She has served on the ward, stake, regional, and general levels of
the Church. It has also been her privilege to fulfill three missions -- once to the Netherlands
when she was young and single; another time as companion to her husband as he presided over
the Netherlands Amsterdam Mission; and the third time with two other senior couples as Asia
Area Welfare/Humanitarian Administrators, headquartered in Hong Kong.
She and her husband Hank and are the parents of eight living children, the grandparents of thirty-six, and the great-grandparents of a rapidly increasing number.
