Incredibly, I made it through 17 years of school (not counting preschool) and 19 years of marriage without a cell phone. How did we do it?! Was life so much simpler? (Fast-scan this to compare.)
One call I remember used the yellow wall phone in the lower-level recreation room in our big home on Northcrest Drive. I carried the handset into the hall for privacy, as I gathered courage to invite a young woman to a high school dance. Getting a date was a scary challenge for this shy boy, despite having freely enjoyed private group dances throughout 8th grade — unforgettable.
Big jump ahead, past the “brick phone” years, and past the smaller one I carried in my back pocket for business management. Years later, I downsized to a favorite phone with a slide-out keyboard. At some point, a cheap Cricket was my extra business device to avoid exceeding my minutes limit.
Then iPhone came and changed my life. Several years ago, an upgrade deal got me an Apple Watch at half price and a Bluetooth JBL Clip Speaker; all three were life-changing. Side note: by sliding a button on the left side of iPhone, I intentionally kept it on silent 24/7 since October 2018, and usually only answered calls on my Contact list — never telemarketing or scam calls. Text messaging has saved me countless hours of conversation when I’m in a hurry. Answering some calls on my Watch has been helpful when my hands are tied. Unlimited Internet access in hand manages frequent “senior moments” and music; Personal Hotspot connects my laptop. Notes files easily handle journals etc. Frequent Copy-&-Paste is too easy. Kay & I would’ve been lost without iPhones on our Detroit mission. Google Docs and Google Sheets work anywhere while waiting in line, on hold, or in bed. Have I mentioned my OC photography and photo-journaling?
With iPhone and Watch used conservatively, I stay on the path to “Simplify! Simplify!”
