Change cannot hinder Love

When I was in the third grade, my music class was interrupted by an up roar in the front row.  After Mrs. D finally got the class focused, I discovered the commotion was caused by a computer--Annie's first Gateway computer.  Everyone was asking where she got it, what she used it for, and everything imaginable.  It's weird to think that my generation saw the integration of the personal computer with our own eyes.

Even though I hate to admit it, I like to be in control.  I like knowing each turn when I drive.  I like planning my days to make sure everything gets done, and I like cutting my hair whenever I need a change in my life.  Having the world around me change abruptly, however, distresses me.  My family bought a PlayStation, and two years later we could not find a single game that was compatible with it.  PlayStation 2 had come out, and the original games were discontinued.  It amazes me how fast technology can change and improve. Land lines to car phones. Car phones to cell phones and now cell phones with TV, Internet, video, and who knows what else!  There's even electronic forms of books.

E-book, Kindle, Nook
Shining computer screens and silver cases.
I'm sorry, but I am not impressed with any of these.  For me nothing can compare to the ruffled pages, crackling binding, and the smell of ink that comes with every physical book.  What if technology takes the place of these beautiful works of art? What if there are no more libraries, book stores, book shelves, or even book ends for that matter?  Instead, we would have a little tablet with all of our books electronically downloaded, and we pop open our laptops to download the latest Jodi Picoult novel.  For the longest time, I was terrified that my favorite from of media may be lost forever.  Then I realized the stories that I love so much and the characters that claim my heart would not be lost.  Mr. Darcy will still fall madly in love with Lizzy in a Nook.  Romeo and Juliet's obsession will still nauseate me through a computer screen, and Sara Crewe's reunion with her father will always bring me to tears no matter how I read the text.  The advance of technology can never change the stories that have stolen my heart, nor the love that I have for each and every one of them.