West Allis, Wisconsin “Call for Richard, call for Richard, call for Richard,” rings from the sidewalk below our home. “There’s that pesky Bobby again,” Mother groans. She rises from the living room chair. “Why doesn’t he come to the door like everyone else?” “Call for Richard, call for Richard, call for Richard.”
“Okay, okay, okay I hear you.” Mother walks to the door. “What’s your reason for calling, Bobby?” Bobby hefts his five-year old legs up the knee-high steps to our porch. “Can Richard come out to play?” “Of course he can. Next time please ring the doorbell.” Chicago, Illinois I’ll dial again. Maybe this time, she’ll answer her phone. “Hello, this is Debbie, who’s there?” “Hey Baby, you’re home. This is Richard.” “Hi Richard. What a surprise.” “I thought I’d give you a buzz. I don’t have a reason really. I just wanted to talk.” “Richard, you don’t need a reason to call. If you want to talk, that’s good enough for me.” Madison, Wisconsin “Hi, Ben, it’s Richard.” “I know it’s you, Richard. I can see your name on my iPhone. What’s up?” “Ah, nothing much, Ben. I just wanted to talk.” “Hey, Richard, got-to-go. Next time text me before you call. Give me a head’s up on what you want to talk about. Okay, Buddy? Catch you later.” If this essay is meaningful, please like or tweet below or leave a comment. Thank you for your interest and possible action you may take. Richard Wilberg, MS, PLCC, ACC Creativity Coach for Personal Fulfillment and Career Success
9 Comments
Wow... that left me with a heavy heart. It’s so sad to me how we have managed to allow the convenience of technology make community and conversation so inconvenient. We have never been more connected to the world yet less connected to each other. I believe we are starting to see just how high the cost of that disconnection is. Great piece of writing.
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Richard
10/13/2018 05:45:36 pm
Janice,
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Byrne
10/14/2018 05:09:07 pm
It is so sad that we have let electronic solutions filter our communications. We seem to find it OK to hide behind them rather than use them to further the building of relationships. Perhaps it is time to put all of the technology away and communicate face to face again from the heart.
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Richard
10/15/2018 11:30:23 am
Byrne,
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Byrne
10/16/2018 06:51:32 pm
Richard,
Richard
10/16/2018 05:50:39 pm
Jill,
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Mary Hall
10/16/2018 05:28:49 pm
I love how you track the evolution of technology over time. I remember you reading an earlier draft of this piece. You nailed it with these updates! Well done!
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Richard
10/16/2018 05:49:11 pm
Thanks Mary,
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About the AuthorI write personal essays, creative non-fiction, flash fiction, and self-development articles from my home in Madison, Wisconsin.
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