“‘Seen that … ‘done that … ‘hear that … ‘just don’t remember.” is a much publicized Senior Creed that has elicited laughter even among the Seniors themselves. I laughed because there’s some sprinkle of truth in it, but I reacted because I wanted to add “… but still open to a new level of technology – new creations and innovations.
Technology per se involves a range of branches – from practical and personal to social. From home to business and trade. From a locality and the whole country to the world on the different aspects of life and living. However, for the seniors (speaking as a Septuagenarian), I will stay on the practical and personal to some dashes of technology, as in various social media platforms for communication with family, classmates, colleagues, new friends. Techie? No, not really. Well, I guess there is no way to move but up so I have decided to make use of the technology at hand.
Back then people relied on the newspapers, radio, mail, television and movies for their information. Messages were transmitted through telegrams and a lot of information were posted on bulletin boards all over different places. With the advent of personal computers, life changed. We became more socially engaged irrespective of distance and time. Then came the internet and the cell phone embedded with on-line social media. These changes excite me even as a Senior.
Many seniors shun social media; I don’t. I find Facebook, Messenger and Instagram enjoyable, entertaining and so much fun. They keep me connected to family and friends all over the world. I enjoy seeing friends in photos. I am thrilled with the stories they tell … the posts they share …the memories they create.. They keep me informed through the Newsfeed. I am not so much a fan of politics (I believe that they should be left to the younger generations) though I keep myself abreast with some of the world’s news headlines. I watch the stories and news about the Royal family in England. And having resided in the U.S. as its citizen for fourteen years, I naturally pay close attention to what’s going on in the country, which is mostly political and politicized. They keep my heart beating for others with touching stories of caring and compassion. They keep me feeling young, energized and so alive!
Long before the pandemic I have already used a cellphone to connect to my Filipino family from the US. With the internet, communication became as easy as 1-2-3. Viber offers free calls and text messages and so does Facebook / Messenger. With my laptop and cellphone, there is never a dull moment in retirement.
There are always challenges on how-to and questions on what ever happened to what I am doing or why is this taking forever. I would sometimes call on my grandkids, but my son told me to explore and browse. He even challenged me with you’re good in following directions. There will always be a dialogue box to tell you what to do. Follow the instructions. So I did. In this time of Covid-19 pandemic I am making use of the Apps, websites and Fun Games that I have enjoyed adeptly. I’m a regular on the Daily TV Mass and a devoted prayer follower at YouTube. To my fellow Septuagenarian friends, I am who they call a techie. And I won’t be hypocritically bashful to deny it. I accept the title and I’m damned proud of it!
Through it all, as I live my retirement years in this constantly fast changing technological world, I look up to God in glory and thanksgiving.
There is always joy in sharing and joy in reading and it’s what you’re guaranteed to get if you join us here @MegaScene.
I enjoyed reading this article immensely. Ms. Gloria Mata, Oyie to her close friends and am proud to be one of them is a very prolific writer/thinker. She may be a retired educator but she continues to provide so much valuable teaching moments to all of her friends. Oyie my precious fellow Golden Girl…thank you for being my friend! Luvyou😘