Empowerment of "the pen"

Case in point. I got my mother a cell phone, because I didn't want her to be in trouble somewhere and no one is able to get help to her.

Guess how she uses it now...

She has always been known for "preaching" at others. She sends long letters to members of her family, polititions, and friends about what they need to be doing differently. It would be her favorite thing to do. Sitting for long hours writing, reading, re-writing and smugly satisfied--sending her literary masterpieces.

She has learned e-mail, and now...texting...

Yup, now my mother has been empowered to stew about a subject she has been offended about for hours at a time and then send it to her next favorite victim via text...

Obviously I have inhereted the craving for spewing thoughts and feelings in writing, but it has always humored me as to why on earth she can find nothing better to write about.

Here was a text my poor father received when he came by to check on me--"It was past my eating time (she is diabetic and has a crazy eating 'schedule' with her first meal around 4am and last around 5pm) so though I don't normally want a bagle. This morning I needed one, and that is why I asked you to get them out of the car. Don't worry, I will provide for myself from now on so you do not have to bring anything for me." (My dad waits on her hand and foot, because evidently diabetes affects your ability to fin for yourself.)

My dad stood there staring at the phone for a moment after reading it outloud, and then looked over his reading glasses at me and said, "She has really learned to text, you know?" Then he sighed deeply and called her back to smooth her ruffled feathers once again.

I said, "Now that would be nice, her providing for herself, eh?" with a twinkle in my eye. He grinned a clenched smile and replied, "Yessss, it would, wouldn't it?"

So, I hear bits and pieces of the ridiculous discussion about "bagles or no bagles" floating in from the kitchen. As usual, Dad has gotten her to relax and now changed the subject to help her move on. Wow, rituals of life, what a wonder.

I expect the subject will come up again at some point or other, it takes a while for the mountains built out of mole-hills to erode back into peaceful plains. There are just certain people who never should have learned to read and write...