September 20, 2013
“Back in the day” I kept my calendar in a
leather-bound book. It also had pages for important medical information,
addresses of friends, and even pockets for business cards, stamps and coins. I
remember this clearly as I recently resurrected this relic of by-gone
days. Despite the passage of time I can
still review Tom’s medical issues and the dates on which we visited certain
doctors (as well as my personal information).
The first edition had a 1” center ring but I later expanded to one with
a 2” center ring…which eventually became ponderous for carrying on a daily
basis.
With the advancing complexity of Tom’s health, I
opted to “upgrade” to electronics. My choice was a Tungsten Palm. I thought I’d achieved nirvana. I could track
all the appointments in color coding, record information from each doctor in
his medical team and backup the data with my desktop computer. Additionally it could accommodate an
extensive address book and so, over time, I input not only the doctors’
addresses and phone numbers but also my friends’ names, and birthdates. The Palm was even able to differentiate
between my medical, professional and personal addresses.
The next transition occurred when cell phones
were no longer just about making and receiving calls—you could take pictures
with them and store appointments in them (and even get reminder alarms). Oh yes, and you can store your friends
addresses and e-mail addresses there too. It doesn’t “remember” as much data
nor sort it with the same agility but, oh my! –it’s convenient, light weight
and easy to slip into pocket or purse.
Which brings me to my current contemplation: I
recently rediscovered my Palm and decided to reactivate it. Of course with the household transitions I’ve
lost the charging and syncing cables but a visit to e-bay produced replacements
for those. Then a down-
load of the software program…check. Finally, insert the USB cable and press “go”.
L
Ahh…of course it is not that simple. In 2007,
when the Palm was last backed up, the hardware was running Windows 98 (or it’s
predecessor) and we are 2 generations of hardware beyond that.
The ultimate piece of this tale is that last
night when I pressed the power button, the Palm was stone-cold dead. That’s when I discovered a NEW “alphabet”
term: SDS (Sudden Death Syndrome). Instantly gone is all of the stored data-- all
of the names and telephone numbers, all of the birthdates and addresses, my crossword
puzzles, my electronic copy of some book that came pre-loaded (but provided distraction
during lengthy waits). Gone! …in the twinkling
of an eye.
Now from 2007 until just recently this “toy” was
in a box somewhere so there is a self-evident response to the question: Do I NEED
this? Obviously not. Either those names have
morphed onto another electronic list or the people have cycled out of my daily life.
But really?!? I am experiencing a feeling of loss!
I want it BACK!
Upon processing, I imagine I’ll find several relevant “life
lessons” in this experience. I awoke this morning excited to see what comment awaited me in my
morning devotional. I was sure it would be pertinent.
TRY TO SEE THINGS more and more from My perspective. Let the Light of My Presence so fully fill your mind that you view the world through Me. When little things don’t go as you had hoped, look to Me lightheartedly and say, “Oh, well.” This simple discipline can protect you from being burdened with an accumulation of petty cares and frustrations. If you practice this diligently, you will make a life-changing discovery. You realize that most of the things that worry you are not important.
