Amazing Technology

Early in January I received an email inquiring if our Vip Van Lee chair was for sale. We had never mentioned it to anyone except our son-in-law that we might be replacing it, giving him first right of refusal if we did. He indicated he was only kidding and not really interested.

Well, after several phone calls and emails, we did sell the Rip Van Lee chair in June 2009 to parents who wanted one for their married son about to become a father. Then the tradition of cuddling a little one in a cozy Rip Van Lee could continue.

Since we had not advertised it, nor talked about its availability, nor even tried to sell it, I wondered how they found out about our Rip Van Lee. So, after it was sold and delivered, my curiosity got the best of me and I googled Rip Van Lee chair and pronto, up came an eight-month old Senior Moment. Unbelievable. I had used the chair as an illustration. That must be how total strangers found out.

We live at a time of amazing technology. I am thrilled how our GPS takes us from here to there so expeditiously. My newer cell phone and computer (soon four years old) have elements included I barely know exist much less use.

Now we have iPods and Blackberries, laptops and notebooks plus incredible social networking such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkedIn. That Google found our chair in an obscure Senior Moment penned by a Mr. Nobody staggers my imagination.

My main concern here is not our old leather companion for 40 years. My concern is the ease with which the whole world knows more about us than we ever imagined. As grandparents, we can agonize over temptations our grandkids face at earlier and earlier ages. We can meddle (not always a good idea) or look the other way (not always a good idea either) knowing they are already many dangerous technological steps ahead of us.

In short, our caution flags must continue to fly. Something, innocent or otherwise, could easily rise up to bedevil us or someone we love. Enjoy these social networks but be careful what you send into space. It could intrigue us today but devour us tomorrow.