Football Flyboy: First Lt. Bill Cannon, Piloting More than His Own Aircraft

Let's Use this time wisely-family

In the backseat of the car, I could hear the "thump" as the tires navigated the road. Darkness encompassed the vehicle. Stars scattered out the window. Grandma next to me spoke, interrupting a daydream. "I remember when your dad was little. We drove to town in an old wagon with horses. Your Auntie Rube fell off of the back of the wagon. I didn't know she was gone until we arrived in town." My curiosity perked. I looked at Grandma, wanting to know more about her life; more conversation. I listened with my ears, watching her face in the dark as expressions changed. Our shoulders touched, sitting alongside one another in the back seat. Sterile stories online leave our ears silent, our eyes expressionless. Our body escapes the warmth of touch. Computerized stored forever in a cyber abyss; Grandma can enter tidbits onto the screen. Who will read her recollections; pass down historical genetics? Technology creates a memory forever available, but cannot connect emotionally. I want both. Digitally saving memories and the warmth of personal interaction. Sharing stories in person with my family and others will cross over the lines of new and old cementing our family history existence. Limiting cold interactions on screens and increasing human connections will give our stories eternal life and meaning.