Things that make you go, "Hummm."

I began this entry last night, but never got a chance to post it. Instead of re-wording the whole thing, I'm sending it out as is. 

February 18, 2015

Yesterday and today in many ways were totally different, yet disturbingly similar in the ways I observed how some human beings interact with one another.

Yesterday, "G" and I obtained our Florida Resident season passes to Disney World and toured a bit of Epcot for the afternoon. What I witnessed was a very different feeling about the people surrounding me opposed to my last visit 4 years ago. Last time, while waiting on line, you might have struck up a conversation with others who were on long waiting lines for a ride, but this time, we were surrounded by people submerged in their cell phones. All were deep into whatever they were searching for or being entertained by, that I felt badly for all they were missing around them. I would guess that many never even saw the beautiful blue pansies that were planted all along a walkway, or the cute little kid in a passing stroller looking up at them and smiling. It seemed like most people were stuck inside their own cocoons and missing out on so much beauty the park had to offer.

We had lunch at a cafe where I had a ring side seat to a little munchkin in a stroller, no older than 18 months. Every time he looked at me, he smiled. I wonder if it was because I was the only one smiling back at him. Not one of the 7 other family members interacted with this baby. When his mother got up and left the table, he cried, and the grandmother (?) shoved an iPad in his hands, without ever looking at him. Mom returned and took the iPad away for herself. I continued to look at this baby, just so I could smile back at him whenever he smiled at me.

Today, we had a visit from my former boss and his wife, Jim and Linda, who are vacationing near Disney for a week. After they left, wind and heavy rains bombarded us, so we just lazed around and headed out for a late dinner. 

While at the restaurant, I witnessed the second thing that really had me wondering - "Hummm, really? Is this really how some parents are treating their children?" Two women were sitting at a table with a toddler who was probably not yet 2. I assumed that they were mother and grandmother to the cute little girl. The only time I saw any interaction with this baby was when she almost spilled her milk. Other than that, she sat, spooning baked Mac and Cheese in her little mouth and entertaining herself. Mother was on her iPhone and grandmother was on an iPad and had sporadic conversations that never included speaking with, or to, that baby.

As a child, I remember the TV being referred to as the "Boob Tube." A device that rendered the watcher in a state of semi-consciousness. It was going to ruin "family time." The iPhones, Smart Phones, pads, tablets, Gaming Consols, etc., need a moniker as well. Maybe it can be the "Selfish device," because it's all about the user and not about anyone else. God help these little ones who are not being sung to, jiggled on a lap, hugged and tickled. I generalized here...not every parent is as bad as the ones I found myself surrounded by the last couple of days.

I will end my tirade on disturbing observations with a list of my favorite childhood memories:

Jump Rope - you could play alone, but it was more fun with three or more.

Hopscotch - again, you could play alone, but it was fun competing and learning to take turns.

Off-the-Step - the game where you threw a pink Spaulding ball against a step and caught it. Three points for catching before it bounced, 2 points if it bounced once. It taught us how to compete.

Hula Hoop- alone or with a group to see which of your friends could hoop longer.

Jacks - another one that you could play alone, but two was ideal.

Stick Ball  - you needed all the neighborhood kids in order to form two teams.

Kick ball - a group only.

Acorn Fights - you needed a crowd and paper bags.

Barbie - there was only one, and a Ken. It was more fun with a friend, because you could borrow each other's doll's clothes.

Summers at the Jersey Shore, "jumping" waves with my parents.

Driving in our old station wagon, lovingly called, "Nellie Bell." Every time we went up a hill, my dad would tell us to lean forward to help the car make it up the hill.

Counting VW bugs on a long trip.

Playing Pokeno often, but always on Thanksgiving.

Making lists from the Sears Wish Book.

Playing cards with my grandparents.

Deep thought for the day: Tonight, I find myself grateful for many things, like spending this winter in Florida, growing up WITHOUT a cell phone or computers, and being loved by people who interacted with me, even when the TV was on (but especially during the commercials). I'm getting old because I remind myself of my grandparents when I reminisce about the "Good 'ole days."