Facebook now has the custom of re-posting photos or articles on the anniversary of their original posting under the “banner”: “[FB name], we care about you and the memories you share here. We thought you’d like to look back on this post from x years ago.”
Today’s “memory” FB offered to share for me was a July 20, 2014, piece at TMV titled “My First Cell-Phone,” which started as follows:
I have been writing so much about ongoing tragedies, wars and conflicts that I need to give it a rest.
So, for a change, I decided to read an article about the evolution of cell phones.
I would like to share what I wrote with TMV readers for two reasons:
1. “I have been writing so much about ongoing tragedies, wars and conflicts that I need to give it a rest.”
2. As an example of how little changes over time and, yet, how much changes.
The “how little changes” becomes obvious when one reads the first sentence of the 2014 piece, above.
How much changes (in two little years) will become apparent when our regular readers peruse through the comments to the original article.
There were 24 comments posted by 11 readers (including yours truly).
Sadly, “time” took away from us one of our favorite readers and contributors: Ron Beasley. He is missed a lot.
The heat of politics took temporarily away from us another reader and contributor: Ron Chusid. We hope that, once it is all (politically) said and done, he will be back.
Various reasons took away from us the great Shaun Mullen. Fortunately, it was temporary and he is back with us in all his lettered glory.
We miss “Rambie,” but occasionally hear from “epiphyte.”
“Jdledell” is making more frequent appearances — every one of them appreciated.
And one more thing has changed, compared to today, two years later: At least in the accompanying comments thread, the comments were congenial, informative and even humorous. Hopefully, once we have elected the right candidate that will all return… (Where is my “smiley” emoticon?)
Some things, however, have not changed:
KP and JSpencer continue to make insightful contributions along with Bob Munck, who, in addition, keeps us all honest, technically, mathematically, grammatically and, above all, “punctuationally.” Thanks, Bob.
You are invited to read the article from two years ago, here.
Nothing exceptional about it — perhaps even “pedestrian,” as an editor at my local newspaper said about one of my pieces a few years ago. But, please, take a look at the comments. They will bring back a memory or two and hopefully put a smile on your face before you go back to watch the 99th day of the Convention.
With my thanks to all contributors and readers at TMV.
Lead photo: The author in better and younger days with a younger “mobile phone.”
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.