Weave the Web

Now that I’m retired, I have more time to reflect and look back on stages of life. I actually can look back at times and see me and different stages of me and the phone. We all took the phone for granted and didn’t give it a second thought. I remember my number in Scarsdale. SC-3-2802!

Now that I look back I realize how important the phone was to me. It really got started in my early teens. I spent hours on the phone. I would talk to my best friend, Sally or my boyfriend, Andy.  I would hang up when we ate dinner and then start up all over again. My parents were nice enough to put in a separate line for the kids. SC-3-0619.  It was actually in desperation because whenever my Dad tried to call to say what train he was getting, the line would be busy.  With three daughters, what were they to do?

I have the clearest memory of sitting in the hall on a plain chair with my feet up on the wall. Upstairs the phone was at the end of the hall with no chair so I would lie on the floor. I had some of the best times on that phone. Then as I grew older and was married I lived in a new state and had no one to call. Long distance cost a lot per minute. My Dad used to call me all the time and it made me so happy during a lonely time. He used to tell me not to tell mom cuz he was running up the bill! If she came into the room he would quickly hang up. Thinking about this brings a smile to my face. When I moved to Kentucky,  I had one really good friend who shared my love of the phone. After the kids were off to school we would call each other and talk every morning for one hour. I loved it.

So now I have lots of time and the phone is still a big part of my life. My sister, Nancy, calls me every morning. We might talk long or we might talk short but we have that “Hi” everyday. The other thing I find so great is that wonderful phone is always there. It never breaks. When something pops into my head I can call Nancy and tell her right away. Maybe 5 times a day.

Ok, yes I use the cell a lot but it just isn’t what Mr. Bell had in mind. He never dreamed his invention would go so far. A phone brings you the best news of your life as well as the worst. It brings you laughter and tears. It is a free psycologist when you’re feeling blue. After a nice talk I feel good and even might say,” oh, I love the phone.”

So whether you use a cell 100% or like me still use a landline at times, you have to admit it is a pretty amazing thing. So why did I write about a telephone? Because I just hung up with my sister and I feel happy. I’ll always feel happy like the song says, I’m Only One Call Away. Thank you Alexander Graham Bell.

I hope you enjoyed my story;  I have to go, my phone is ringing.