Years ago I volunteered to set up a computer for my father-in-law. The first time it only lasted about 6 minutes. I opened the box and started to pull it out, when he asked me to stop. He said, “Take it back. I’m too old. I can’t learn this stuff. I don’t want this. I can’t do it.” And so back the computer and accessories went.
The operative words are “I can’t do this.”
A couple of years later I suggested he give a computer a try again. He agreed. The second time it lasted about six months. I set it up. Then I showed him the ins and outs of the computer so he could work it. He called me up and asked me to get rid of it. “Just take it out. Use it. Sell it. I don’t care,” he said.
“I can’t do this. I’m too old. I don’t have the patience.”
During the six months of computer ownship, he never even turned it on. He didn’t try it to use it. It sat there. When I came to collect it, I decided to keep it incase he decided to try it again. Years went by and the computer became obsolete.
Four years ago, Manny was in my office. He was looking at my computer screen. He turned to me and asked if I would help him get a computer.
I asked him. “Again?” He said, ”Yes I really want to try it and do this.” I told him I would do anything I could to make it easy for him.
We bought a state-of-the art Macintosh. From writing letters to sending email, I worked with him to show how to use all this new technology. I hooked him up to the Internet. I showed him how to search and to use the net. I showed him how to print. He kept copious notes. I offer free technical service to the limited abilities I have. And Manny was off to the races!
I didn’t want Manny to fail this time. I wanted him to see the joys of using a computer. And I guess in the back of my mind, I didn’t want to fail him.
On his own, Manny took a class or two on computers. He learned the jargon and the lingo. He learned how to do so many different things using a computer.
“Why didn’t I do this years ago?” he asked me. I just shrugged
They say the third time is the charm. Today my father-in-law could teach computers. He doesn’t know how computers work (and for that matter who does? – to me computers work by magic, with Harry Potter waving his wand), he just knows how to work them.
He has set up his email so can keep in touch with family and friends around the world. He listens to music (he’s well past the prime age for Itunes users, but he uses it all the time), he watches and reads news and manages his portfolio online.
Today Manny is part of the largest segment of new computer and Internet users. The lesson I learned from this is that even though I thought Manny should have a computer, he didn’t want it until he wanted it.
To say the least, I’m very proud of his computer abilities and accomplishments. It proves an old dog can learn new tricks – if the old dog wants to. Putting your mind to a goal can be done at any age.
What is it that you have always wanted to do, but have put off? Isn’t there some deep secret desire to do something that is so unlike you, that you dream about doing it? You tell me your secret wish and I’ll tell you mine.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tags: computer for seniors, doing, happy, new skill, proud, secret, wish
Thanks a lot. You should take more credit for your perseverance, patience and great help!
“Growing Old Sucks”? Does it really?
I am now 83 1/2 years old -to some that may seem “old”-the connotation older does not necessarily mean decrepit,useless,senile or handicapped or whatever. being old maybe to less older people a stigma-to me it is the advantage seeing the progression of life-of me changing views from year to year,decade to decade. Of being fortunate to have to have lived through so much change over a 83 year old period. I remember my father-in-law who was born and lived in Russia till he was 15 years old-and then immigrated to the United States. He lived in a house with no electricity, outdoor plumbingand a horse and buggy for transportation and when the man landed on the moonand we watched it on tv in our living room-he said can you imagine what has happened since I left Russia and lived to see man kanding on the moon! And then we discussed all the changeshaving taken place in his life!He died at 76-and now I think of all the changes that have taken plcein over three generations. I wonder what life will be when my grandchildren have lived for 3,4 or 5 generations-yes I am optimistic they will? Yes we will have catastrophies-natural and manmade. But so far humankind has managed to continue-and each generation meets and solves its ownproblems and those from their legacy. Sometimes listing to those older and the older listiening to the younger. So does getting older (not old) suck? I think not!