A few days ago I wrote about the tradition of a Christmas letter. I mentioned being ambivalent about giving it up. I am no longer ambivalent and have decided that some things need to be dropped when they no longer serve their original purpose. I suspect that there are very few people in my life who care or who do not know what I am doing during the year. The computer has changed all our lives, even though some don't recognize its importance and won't own one.
Trying to examine what a computer means to me is quite difficult because it has taken over so many functions in my life. I no longer need to buy a reference book. I gave away my outdated encyclopedia set many years ago. I don't believe I have reached for my Oxford Dictionary in so long a time that the dust film it collected is impressive. When I read a book, I don't have to try to figure out the meaning of an unknown word because it is so easy to hit a few keys and get a definition. Merriam-Webster is in a drop down menu below Google, IMDB (International Movie Data Base), Amazon, and a few other (to me) critical sites.
The last newspaper I had delivered by choice was seven years ago. The subscriptions to magazines has dropped down from an all-time high years ago of 18 to 2 today. Currently I am in process of paying bills online and avoiding the pile up of the paper bills mixed in with all the ads and catalogs. Perhaps one day soon, stores will stop sending out so many catalogs when they have our email addresses and send via that media instead.
Just as time alters our bodies, time leaves a mark on tradition. Second languages get lost. Food recipes are lost or just can't be made as they used to taste. Religions are often not continued as before. Traditions get diluted by marriages bringing disparate traditions together, thus diluting customs. Whatever happens, some things need to be changed....and I just changed one.
4 comments:
It'a pretty interesting that I attempt to write and send a Christmas letter each year and have come to the realization that I do it because...my Father did it. I also wrap the columns on the front porch with greenery and lights - very simple. Christmas lights in Key West??? Well...its because my Father did it and I cannot think of any other or better reason.
Computers have indeed changed the face of the world, but somehow there is something nice about getting a "real" card or a letter. I have to admit, though, that I am more and more dependant on computer communication as each birthday, holiday, special occasion, etc. comes along. Thank goodness for birthday.com and Jacqui Lawson!!
Sometimes, Chris, we have to give up our parents' ways because they cease working. Times change. Sometimes you hang onto ways, not because they are best but because they make you feel good doing them. You are the only one to decide those.
You know, they were Father's letters in the first place. And doesn't the blog completely supersede the letters?
I still enjoy getting letters from people - I get them from certain folks every year and I otherwise would not know anything about their lives - it's a strange tradition though. We could never manage to even get Christmas cards out, let alone manage a yearly letter.
I think you have done enough letters, and I don't feel bad seeing them finish. The series was almost 50 years, wasn't it?
Yes, Edison...it was easily a series of 50 or more letters. I too like to receive them but, as I said, only wish to send them when there is something I think is worth people spending the time to read. My life is better discussed in this blog...because it is about what is happening in my head.
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