The first cell phone I ever used was a clunker. Technically
it was my parents’ “car phone” that I had borrowed while going out for a night
with college friends in Baltimore.
It was awesome.
I remember stuffing the huge phone into my purse, so proud
that I actually had a “cell phone”.
I don’t even think I knew the phone number. But, it was
pretty much the greatest thing ever that night.
After that I was hooked.
Being able to call anyone anywhere was just the best. After
college, I racked up major phone bills…that was obviously before unlimited
phone calls and a few years before texting.
Then, of course came the smart phone. I was a little slow to
buy one. I remember thinking it was an extravagance I just didn’t need. But,
when it came time for an upgrade, the Androids were pretty cheap.
I was hooked again.
Next came the iPhone and I was in love. FaceTime, iMessages,
Uploading photos to Facebook automatically. It was all completely wonderful.
Until it died. Last week my iPhone just completely stopped
working. No warning. No reason. Just done.
At first I was devastated. How would I text? What if people
were trying to call me? I couldn’t upload pictures to Facebook! How would life
go on?
It was complete unnerving silence.
Then, it became almost like a vacation---being unreachable
was kind of fun. Like an adventure.
I called people on the home phone. I met up with a friend
for breakfast by arranging a time and place. No texts or cell phone calls.
Somehow she found me at the back of the restaurant.
When waiting in a grocery line, I talked to the kids instead
of playing on my phone. And, I
remembered all my assignments and appointments, even though I didn’t have my
iPhone calendar or reminders.
I was completely capable without my iPhone.
Two days without a cell phone or smart phone and I survived!
So, I’m not replacing my iPhone (just yet). I reactivated my
old, cracked Android. It’s slow, I can’t upload to Facebook, I don’t receive
texts from some people and it’s a tad embarrassing because the screen is cracked.
But, I’ll live…
