Monday, August 17, 2009

Some things stay the same.

Today's society is an ever changing and evolving one to say the less. Technology has improved to the level where a lazy person can have an affair without leaving the comfort of their recliner. Simply click, chat, and tell lies..about how good you look and how tall you are, and how single (although your wife doesn't know that) you are--just looking for love with the help of the kind folks that allow you to pay for your cable, house phone, and Internet on the same bill. Oh... the uses for technology.

Here we live in a time where putting a man on the moon has been replaced by now we can can buy a seat on the shuttle. And to think that just forty years ago a Black woman was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. Can I get a...whoa technology! Human beings have come so far that if your co-worker whom occupy the cubicle next to you is talking too loud and disturbing your "office time net surfing," all you have to do is...send them an e-mail. Think about it...your grandparents couldn't do that. Not unless you're related to the Jetsons. Man oh man. Who needs to worry about staying home by the phone waiting for your beloved to call? You have a phone in your purse, on your hip and even in your ear. If that's not enough and you don't want to hear his voice--send him a text message. And who said folks don't read anymore?

How about this one? People are now afforded the great opportunity to call a company and have a lifeless voice prompt them to push multiple numbers until another soul less voice says, "I'm sorry your call can not be completed at this time..." Oh... the wonders of technology. It's so good that cloning isn't a thing of science fiction, it's real, very real. Anyone looking to find themselves? Give it a few years, you might just run into yourself as you race for the space shuttle that will drop you off on Mars so you can watch the NBA's newest franchise. You haven't lived until you've seen a three foot green dude dunk a ball.

But, with all the changes in the world and the many new gadgets coming out almost daily, there's one thing that won't ever change. People still want, need and strongly desire to be loved and appreciated. So put down the remote, the interactive video game, the cell phone that does everything but your hair and go to your wife, husband, mother, father or whomever you may care for and remind them that no matter the changes in this world and the distance that they create...tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Think again!

Two elderly men sat side by side on a park bench. After some time had passed the shorter of the two turned to face the taller one. "Excuse me, sir," he said by way of gaining the other man's attention. "You and I have sat on this same bench, in this same park at the same time for over a month and yet we haven't formally introduced ourselves."

"I was just thinking the same thing," he responded with a smile. "My name is Sam and you are?"

Beaming he said, "My name is Max. Pleasure to meet you."

"Well, Max what brings you here each day?"

"I lost my wife about a month ago."

"Wow...small world," Sam replied. "And I lost my lady friend about the same time."

Immediately they felt like kindred spirits as they exchanged stories about their lives spent with the women they had loved and lost. "And now after forty years of marriage, I'm all alone," moaned Max.

"I know the feeling." Sam agreed. "I was with my lady love for thirty years."

"If I'm not being too personal. How come you guys never married?"

"Well...I wanted to but she refused each and every proposal I gave her."

"Really?"

"Yep," said Sam. "And on top of that I didn't mention this but we never shared a house."

"That is a little uncommon," Max concurred.

"Believe it or not, I only saw her on Thursday and Saturday nights."

"How come?" Max inquired.

"I'm a little ashamed to say," Sam said sheepishly.

"Ah...go head, I won't judge." Max was fully intrigued and couldn't wait to hear more.

"She was married to some loser that left her alone every Thursday and Saturaday night to play cards with his friends."

"What some guys will do," said Max. "I mean I played poker with the guys twice a week, but at least I spent time with my wife."

"You were a lucky man," said Sam. " At least you had a chance to marry the woman you loved."

Max felt sorry for Sam. "Hey pal...we might be old but as long as you're breathing healthy air there's still time to love again."

"Maybe you're right. Any way Max I won't be here tomorrow. I'm going to place flowers on my lady love's grave."

"I'm doing the same thing," Max said. "See you day after tomorrow."

The next day as Max approached his wife's gravesite, he noticed a familar figure standing over his wife's plot. Slowly the figure turned around. It was Sam. Max looked down and noticed the fresh flowers in the vase where he normally placed his own flowers. "Sam...what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I told you I was coming to place flowers at my lady love's grave," he answered wiping tears from his eyes.

"You're standing over my wife's grave."

"No I'm standing over my lady love's grave," he corrected. "See the nameplate says, Sarah Mitchell, my lady love's name."

"My wife's name was Sarah Mitchell and I'm Max Mitchell."

"What nights did you play poker?"

"Thursday and Saturaday."

The moral....next time you're sitting on a park bench and think you don't have anything in common with the person sitting next to you....think again!