When my kids were knee high to a grasshopper, I read to them every night before they went to sleep.  Now I know that was a privilege and memory beyond replacing.

 I read to them Dr. Seuss “Green Eggs and Ham” – I would read them anything, and over and over if they requested it.  There were lots of other books and authors,  some simple and some like Sherlock Holmes adventures, and Lord of the Rings were tolerated by my daughter and son even though it wasn’t exactly what they wanted.

I remember tip toeing out of their rooms when they fell asleep, or pretended to sleep and often times I went straight to sleep myself.  Bath, brushing teeth and story time was at least an hour from start to finish.  I wish I could go back and do it again.

But now it it 2014 and everyone has a tablet or smartphone crazyglued to their hands it seems but those are cold and artificial ways to read stories me thinks.  I just don’t think Dr Seuss on a Kobo is the same for reading stories. Children want to see the pictures, turn the pages, and pretend to read along, or even change the story as you go. Electronic ink all seems too cold and impersonal for that.  I draw the line for reading books, I’m old fashioned.

Birthday cards, congratulations, thinking of you, valentines day, anniversaries.  Sure I suppose you could say emails meet the objective but you can’t compare with saved emails to the shoebox in my closet with cards to me from my loved ones. I draw the line on messages from the heart – emails are awesome but they lack the impact and strength of reading a handwritten note or card.

Where do you draw the line?

I know we can buy instant food, already cooked and just warm it up and it feeds us but it lacks the creativity and satisfaction you get from buying the ingredients and making it yourself.  I draw the line on soup especially, nothing beats a home made soup.

Where do you draw the line?

I know we can keep in contact with people we care about instantly, emails, chat lines, skype, but it doesn’t replace a walk and talk face to face. It doesn’t replace the warmth of a hug or is a substitute for a shared sunset.

Draw the line for yourself this week.  

When you look back on your week, it it all going to be electronic interaction?

– that’s just fast food without real satisfaction.  Make sure when you look back on this week it includes some real food you made yourself, some real time in fresh air, and includes some hugs, maybe some silent time holding hands watching the sun go down.  Put down the tablet for awhile, see and feel your life afresh.

“I don’t regret the things I’ve done, I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.” –Unknown

Thanks for reading, and especially big thanks to those who follow my blog. You are so encouraging and I need that.