by Vanessa Duersch
Early settlers to the American continent were not privileged to have the high quality telephones, paper printing methods, medicine, transportation, or even the fancy internet abilities to watch HD movies on Youtube. The best conveniences that they could speak for was the switchboard, horse and wagons, hand-sewn clothing, alcohol as a painkiller, and the printing press; just to project an overall image. We glance back at all the museums that seek to preserve and recreate what our ancestors had. No doubt that they may find themselves jealous at what conveniences we can enjoy today. No more days of harvesting, butchering, and trapping your own sustenance. There were many things that made life different than what it is today. Families had to work hard together to obtain so many things that technology has replaced for us today. It seems that while technology has come as a blessing in our lives to take care of us, it is hard to imagine that a quality of life was lost and forgotten with the changing culture of technological toys.
There is so much to learn from the elder family generations that led up to your existence. They may not have been the early pioneers, but they teach so much about how modern technology has boomed since they were growing up. When discussing how life differs to now, it becomes clear that they loved their lives of hard work and accomplishment and they were very sure of themselves on what the most important things in life were. Aunts, uncles and grandparents love telling their fascinating stories about being farmers during The Great Depression and how things were when they were lucky to have a radio. For them, that was enough for their childhood. Families worked hard and became closely bonded beyond what families seem to have today. After work, there was always playtime. They would play games like CAT, Annie Annie Over, Spoons or just go swim in the creek on a hot day. During the winter seasons, they would gather around a fire and read stories, listen to the radio, or just play music and dance. Couples would enjoy a nice walk and a picnic, or go on sleigh rides in the winter under a starry sky. Everyone was involved and working together, bonding or reflecting on what is important to them-without the modern technologies squelching any chance of them shutting out one another.
You don’t have to throw out all modern technology and live in a cave for the rest of your life; but be able to know what your top priorities are in your life without the distractions of technology. Do your children know how to bake a sheet of cookies? Who is the best local family doctor when your kids get sick? Does your spouse know how to change the oil, change a diaper or soothe a crying baby? Do you know when your child is being bullied at school? How about what unique traits are hidden behind each special, strange, wonderful and quirky member of your family? What makes them happy? What makes them tick? How do they feel about their lives? Who are they? Do they know that you love them and think they are important to you? If you can’t answer the questions that show you care, then it is not too late to become your family’s hero. Get off the couch, turn off the smartphones, tvs and computers and take them somewhere beautiful, full of fresh air, water and trees. Be patient, and you might be amazed at what you learn.