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Dragged, Kicking and Screaming - into the 21st Century
Ann Johnston, Golden Seniors-on-the-Move Toastmasters Club
 My children, grandchildren, great-great grandchildren are scattered all over the country. Actually all over the world, because, as I write this, my youngest grandson, Captain Joshua, is headed for Afghanistan.
In 2009, fourteen of the above (relatives) with spouses came to visit me and my husband, Rod, in our retirement home. It was wonderful to see them, but I wondered if I would ever see them again. The answer was... yes! When Rod and I were dragged, kicking and screaming into the 21st Century
Recently, my son John from Memphis and his son Paul, a Phoenix detective, came to see us at the Town and Country Retirement Center in Santa Ana, California. They brought with them a new technological development called “Smart Phone” or “Face Book.”
Say What??? More high-tech words and devices that we try to avoid-- iPod, Blackberry, Laptop, Cell phone, etc. Who needs them??? But as it turned out, we were overjoyed that John and Paul had brought the Smartphone with them!
After finding an appropriate spot, Paul whipped out a device the size of a deck-of-cards, and, what a miracle --there was the face of my grandson, Brett, in Virginia! He talked to me, he saw my face -- and I saw the face he was seeing! Amazing! Or is it Witch Craft?
I talked to Brett, then saw his wife, Bonny, and children: Adam and Easton --whom I had never seen! Would wonders never cease? Paul then brought up grandson Carson, who is in Virginia with the FBI, and his family. And they saw me! Next, he got my beautiful granddaughter, Christine, in Florida with her daughters: Shane and “Butter Bean.”
Amazing! or Witchcraft?! It was truly wonderful. Rod and I are both over 80 and took what I suppose was an illogical pride in not needing --and therefore, knew nothing about-- anything invented after 1985.
But our encounter with the Smartphone made us feel like a couple of dinosaurs. Relics we are, but because of John and Paul, very happy relics!
Welcome to the 21st Century -- Ann and Rod -- Dragged, Kicking and Screaming.
Rod and Ann Johnston are members of the Golden Seniors on-the-Move Toastmasters Club in Anaheim, California. The club meets from 2:45 pm to 5 pm on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at the Tryol Plaza Senior Club House, 891 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806. Visitors are always welcomed for FREE. For more information about the club, please call Rod at 714-667-0731 or email Dr. Patricia Adelekan, DTM, President at
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, 714-628-9844.
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