Neva and Technology

In 2004 before Shell's passing, I gave technology little thought, if any.  We did not have VP (video phone via Sorensen - http://www.sorensonvrs.com/apply ) in our house nor did we have anything else other than Sidekick and a beaten-up laptop that was slowly dying and I definitely do not miss dial-up internet.  However, after the birth of our baby girl, Neva, technology snuck up by me quickly such as iPod, WI-FI, updated laptop with a built-in web camera, digital camera, Blackberry, V-Tech toys for Neva .   Soon enough, I won't be surprised Neva would be sporting an IPad. 

Today, I am very grateful because if not for technology, the connections we make with our friends and family would not be made possible.  Tonight, Neva was on VP chatting up a storm with her cousin, Cha'Risa who is 8 years old living in Austin, TX.  They have been together since Neva was 3 months old up until she was three when the family decided to move to enroll at Texas School for the Deaf.  It was a very difficult loss for us but with the use of technology, it is amazing!  Let me say that the conversations with her cousins, Cha'Risa and Gunnar always was lively and full of humor.  However, tonight I witnessed something bigger.  Neva and Cha'Risa stayed on much longer than usual (about an hour and half!) and their conversations were much more interesting and concrete!  Could it be that they are getting older and becoming comfortable with expressing themselves through technology - of course, yes!   Now, they developed something big tonight.  An actual relationship.  Questions between Neva and Cha'Risa were exchanged: favorite movies, football teams, food, clothes, shoes, and etc.  They were discussing favorite scenes of Tangled movie (specifically Maximus, the horse), kinds of clothes they liked, and such.   My heart was all over the room tonight when I watched them.  My sister Tracy and I were completely out of the picture although the phone conversation was initially for us :).

Tonight, I was going through pictures since the experience of Neva and Cha'Risa's VP call left me feeling sentimental and I came across a couple that I felt the need to share.  Neva really cherishes all the people in her life and it shows through our conversations at nights and now through her conversation with Cha'Risa.  Neva talks a lot about her cousins and she admires Brett and Hans to no end as I honestly see her mention their names on a weekly basis. Neva knows she has more relatives on Shell's side and she asks about them just as well. 

Little did I know back then about how technology would be one of the major players in our lives and how it tremendously keep us connected with our loved ones.  As a deaf person and a visual communicator,  I am looking forward to the new possibilities it may bring to us and our loved ones even closer.