Hold The Phone

What it comes to cell phones, in my opinion, it seems we can't live with them and can't live without them. While I am very grateful for the security it provides when out in unfamiliar territory and it serves as a vital link in case of an emergency, it also is a great way to let folks know your whereabouts.....sometimes too much so. But where I can live with out them is when it is the deterrent to conversation that otherwise might occur. In the car pool line for All Things Bright and Beautiful, our parents have been informed that we will wave them by if they are on the phone while dropping off or picking up their child.   In the 10 to 15 minute commute to of from school, there is such a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to connect. These days go by much too quickly and the missed 10 and 15 minute chunks of time add up quickly...and you don't get them back. As I mentioned at our Parent Partnership Meeting at the beginning of the school year, it has already been 8 years since September 11, 2001. And we all remember it like it was yesterday. Going forward that same amount of time, this year's Junior Kindergarteners will be teenagers. That comment brought tears to the eyes of more than a couple parents in the room.

            And as the teenagers of today will tell you, "their social life would end or be worsened without their cell phone". According to recent statistics 47% say it would be worsened and 57% credit cell phones for improving their social life. (online article: HarrisInteractive)  It's the "improving the social life" that I am really struggling with since a recent study confirmed that texting is replacing talking among teens. If this is the new definition of being "social", I think our youth are missing out on quite a bit; the art of conversation, the light in someone's eyes when they tell something very exciting, a change in tone or the inflection in a voice.  And honestly, LOL does not replace the joy of hearing that laugh really out loud and in person! Recently we made an exception to the classroom protocol of no phones for the Junior High School Students and asked them to bring their phones to class with them. With some guidance facilitated by the team leaders, interesting conversations ensured that drew some correlations between cell phones and faith. So as not to breach the confidentiality of the group, you'll just have to find someone with whom you might start a similar conversation.

            Like with most anything in life....moderation is the key. As I said, I'm glad that cell phone are available, but I sure hope we'll never get too far removed from the personal connection and that, given the choice, we'll put down the phone....."hold the phone".....wait a minute... engage in conversation with those around us; an opportunity that we should not miss.