Today, a topic has been heavy on my heart. A topic I have written about before and even one we talked about before you were called home. I pray and hope that my generation is doing their best to prepare the next generation. My concern today is not only their infatuation with electronic devices, but what they are missing out on because of that infatuation. Their desire to document every detail in snapchat or their feeling that they might miss out on something if they do not check their social media. However, what they are really missing out on is valuable time with family that is right in front of them. I am reminded of many visits with Grandma and Grandpa Hoyt, Grandma Rob, Grandpa Bloomquist, Aunt Nellie, Grandma Pauline, Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bob, Paul and Guyla, and many, many others. Whether it was visiting with family, elderly friends in the neighborhood, or at church we were taught to listen. We were taught that this time was valuable. We truly believed they had knowledge to share with us. We enjoyed the conversations, we laughed, we played cards, we worked with them, and listened some more. When we said we wanted to go see them that meant we actually wanted to sit and talk with them. We had an interest in what they had to say too. It was not to just go and tell them about what we accomplished. It was not to ask them to take us somewhere or to buy us something. We had a desire to hear about their day or week. We wanted to know what had been going on in their lives too. We did not demand things of them instead they very well could demand things of us, so they could finish a task, chore, or job. I remember looking forward to Friday nights when Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bob would come out with pizza. We would play Skipbo and listen to Uncle Bob whistle. The good ole days when we didn’t have smart phones or tablets to distract us from the important things in life. The phone hung on the wall with a really stretched out cord. You did not turn your car around because you forgot your smart phone at home. You did not worry about whether your phone was fully charged or if you had remembered your charger. Instead you lived in the moment with those around you. You allowed your grandparents to be a little bit of a parent, a little bit of a teacher, and a little bit of a best friend. You respected them. You went to talk with them when you didn’t want to discuss your issue with your parents, because chances were they had already overcome what you were facing. Dad, I don’t really know how to get us back to those days. I do want to say thanks to you and Mom for teaching me the value of the older generation. Yes, sometimes I might have thought here we go again with a conversation when Uncle Ron pulled me on his lap. However, I wouldn’t of had it any other way. Just maybe Dad if my generation could start by telling their kids to put their electronic devices up when they go visit their grandparents it would be a start. I know my two children have more than once said they wish they could ask Grandpa his opinion about a situation they are facing. I hope I can do my best to teach the younger generation this time with the older generation is limited, so take advantage of the time God grants us with those loved ones. I hope to teach children that listen and silent have the same letters for a reason. I hope and pray I teach them to listen and to truly get to know loved ones. I hope I teach them to use their smart phones actually as a phone and to call their grandparents to hear about their day or week. I hope to make a difference.
