Life like the Amish

Our children are living in a age of total dependency on technology and electricity.  We see that and experience as parents when there is no power or when the phone cables and internet are malfunctioning.  Our children say we are like the Amish.  That that this is what it must be like.

About three months ago, our area had three days of dangerous storms move through the area.  My mom lost the power to her house which in turn made her phone not work.  She is 87 and does not use a cell phone.  When we called to see if she was okay and the phone didn't work, we were on our way to see what was wrong.  My mom was fine but worried about her refrigerated food.  My brother went to get her ice and they filled up two coolers with ice and food.  She ate the leftover food and listened to the radio that had batteries.  She was without power for a total of three days.

Now my mom does not have internet but she does have television and a dvd player.  My children were just amazed that she lasted that long without television to entertain her.  My brother and I, and my oldest were more concerned about her having food to eat and staying cool without air conditioner.  Luckily her house is shaded by big trees.  Our children only know television, internet and cell phones to entertain them.  They open the fridge without concern for spoiling food.  They count on the microwave always working.  When any of these is malfunctioning, their world falls apart.  My mom grew up on a farm during the depression where no you had nothing but your toys, family and pets to entertain you.

Just recently we had problems with our phone line and the inside of the phone jack inside of our house.  We had no phone.  Yes, we had our cell phones, but many people only have our landline numbers.  In addition, not every area in the house is there service and I don't enjoy carrying my cell phone all around in order to answer it.

K had homework to do and could only be done with the help of the internet.  We were trying fix the phone and during that time, we didn't have internet.  She made some funny comeback that she was going to tell her teacher.  I appalls me that teachers are relying on the internet for children to do their homework.  We did get the internet working but still no phone.

We are up and running again.  Everything got fixed.  I am still just  amazed at how dependent we have become on these luxury things that we now consider standard.