(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection - Letter to the Editor)

Have you ever stopped to think about all the inventions or improvements in technology since you were born? My husband and I were discussing it this evening. We both remember the first TV sets our families had. They each had a huge cabinet but only a small sized black and white screen. At most there were 3 channels which only broadcast during part of the day. At the end of broadcasting day the National Anthem would be played and then the screen went to a fuzzy gray.

I remember my great uncle could hardly wait until I got old enough so he could teach me to drive. I was sorry he died yet relieved he wasn’t the one teaching me. He traded in his car for a newer one. Even then his new, used car was old to me, one of those 1938 or 39 gangster cars. I learned to drive in 1969 when most cars were huge!

I remember when movies were all black and white. When color started showing up on the screen it was really a big deal! As a teenager my parents took my little sister and me to the drive-in movies. Having a snack in the car and watching 1 or 2 movies was a great evening with the family.

Oh, and the first phones we had were on a party line. You and 2 or 3 other families shared the same line. You each had a different ring so you knew whether to answer or not. To call out you quietly picked up the receiver and listened to hear if the line was already in use. The phones had a rotary dial and a cord so you had to stay in one spot. Eventually, after I was married in the early 70s, we had a wall phone installed in the kitchen with an extra long cord so I could reach the stove as I talked.

I could go on about all the changes of things since I was born in December 1952 but you get the idea. The world is constantly changing. We hope changing for the better. Yet, with all the technology we have these days there is a constant that does not change, faith. You may not believe the way I do in one Creator, God, who is always there for us. As I was taught, all we have to do is believe. As a teen I decided to try to live up to what I thought God expected of me. There have been times in my life that I failed miserably. I was forgiven and here I am again believing God is good.

There are people I love who don’t believe as I do. I have a close friend who was raised in India. We have discussed our different beliefs to find in some ways they are similar. I have friends who are Catholic. They believe in the same God but pray through Mary, the mother, instead of through Jesus. There are others who believe entirely different from me. I try not to push my beliefs on them and try to respect their choices. Maybe you think I’m going about this all wrong. Don’t each of us deserve the respect of others? I’m trying to live as an example. I try to be kind to others. I truly believe in the past God has answered my prayers to help me physically and give me more time with my family and friends. Now I’m taking my turn to repay the favors, the blessings, given to me. I’m sharing my faith with you. What do you believe?

As my time here grows shorter, I continue to try to stay positive. Whether you are young or old, hold onto the good times and leave mistakes behind. Enjoy your life. I still believe I am heard when I say, God bless you.

Bonita (Bonnie) Eaton

Vienna