Memories Are An Old Man's Toys
Page 22
My prayer was that by removing these mind-numbing
distractions from your daily routines that you would, in fact, find more value in your lives. It is my hope that aging parents might receive a phone call rather than having to depend on social media to know what was going on in their children’s lives. It was also my hope that younger people might experience for the first time a world where people communicated directly with one another. I wanted the younger people to feel the joy of receiving a letter in the mail written by a friend. It was my vision that one day families would once again sit around the dining room table and share stories with one another. I longed to bring back the days when people would debate issues, movie facts, and other unknown tidbits and simply argue their side and end the conversation with a friendly “Awe you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Never once would anyone reach for a cell phone to “prove” their point. I pray that every one of you will if only for a brief moment in time, connect with someone on a deep and personal level. The technology that you hold in your hands is capable of bringing amazing things into your lives. It is also capable of isolating us from one another. The decision is yours; I simply wanted you to see that you had an option. Moving forward, take the pictures, but print them out so your children and grandchildren can look back and get a sense of their history. Post your opinions and ideas; after all, that is the foundation of all change. Just don’t allow your view of yourself, others or the world around you to be shaped or distorted by the opinions and ideas of others. You only get one shot at life, and there are no do over’s. Embrace every moment you have as if it were a gift because that’s exactly what your life is, a gift. Reach out to others and offer help when needed and don’t be afraid to admit that sometimes it will be you that needs the help. You can study faraway lands and learn about their cultures and history. I warn you though that you shouldn’t allow these tools to shape your views of the people who inhabit these lands. They are people just like you and I, with wants, dreams, and fears. There may be individuals or groups of individuals within these cultures that have a warped sense of humanity and religion. They are, however, a small group and don’t represent the majority so don’t allow these isolated groups to warp your view.
There are those whose self-worth is heightened only by lowering the self-worth of others. Don’t buy into that. You are all unique and amazing in your own way, and if you measure your value with someone else’s ruler, you will spend your life feeling as though you don’t measure up. Celebrate your body regardless of its shape, size or ability. Embrace your freckles, love your curls, and celebrate your frizz. These are all things that make you…you.
You may be wondering what you can do to make a difference in the world around you and in the lives of those you love. When you finish reading my letter, make a vow to yourself that you will take the time to write a letter to a young person in your life and encourage them to write back. Let’s bring the art of letter writing into the lives of those we love. Send invitations to your next event rather than a group message or better yet, call personally and extend the invitation. Make your dinner table device free.
I hope that having had the experience of no social media for a couple of years will re-humanize some people. Use your phones to make life better not to glorify our downfall.
I guess I want to wish you and all future generations a life free of damaging outside influences. If every single one of you made it a personal choice to make your homes, your streets and your communities better places then sure as you’re sitting here right now the world would become a better place. In the days and years ahead, even greater inventions will be presented to you. I hope that when that happens, you’ll look back on these two years and remember that every advance brings with it a sacrifice.
Don’t let that sacrifice be your humanity.”
Best Wishes, Billy
With that, Eloise propped the letter against the tree, stood up and walked away, satisfied that she had tossed the proverbial stone in the water and she was eager to witness the “Rippling effects.”
Please visit Elayne Tulliani at:
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About The Author
ELAYNE TULLIANI
Elayne began her writing career as the owner and lead writer for “The Voice,” a local publication that provided an avenue for teens in crisis to link with needed services and communicate their needs and concerns to the public. Her local publication soon gained major support from Massachusetts General Hospital.
Over the years she has written several pieces that pertain to Vietnam Veterans and has been honored to share her writings live at various veteran’s ceremonies.
Her ability to morph into her characters has been hailed as a gift that warrants sharing. Her endless compassion and insight prompt readers to look at life from various perspectives. Elayne’s writing is based on the simple premise that we each hold within us the power and responsibility to make a difference.