Yesterday morning I went to image editing class provided by the LDS church. The announcement about the class made it sound really useful and that I would be able to learn many new things about editing images. Ha Ha. Quite the contrary. Even though the class was definitely not a waste of time, it was not what I expected.
My first clue should have been that it was being held at the family history center. Typically speaking, the elderly of our community are the ones who work on family history. I should have concluded that any class held there might be geared towards the elderly of our community who generally don't know how to use computers as much as the younger generations.
The next clue was that when I arrived, there were only people who were at least 65 years old or older at the class. I definitely got the message at this point, but it was too late to back out. I didn't want to offend anyone and they were all trying to be so sweet saying things like, "We are so glad you came!" Despite the sweet words, they all stared at me in amazement and as if they were fairly shocked to see anyone younger than 40 there.
The teacher stood up and proclaimed to the class, probably just because I was there, that even though there was a great range in abilities present, we were all going to stay together. I listened and heeded. I did everything exactly when she said to and helped my neighbors.
I became enamored with the older man sitting next to me. At first he just kept looking back and forth between my screen and his and then copying what I was doing and then he started to ask questions. I think it upset the teacher that he asked me questions and not her. Well, what can I say? I have been doing these same things since I was in 3rd grade.
Anyway, even though I didn't learn anything about image editing I did learn something. Even though these older members of society don't know how to use these "new-fangled contraptions" their minds are certaintly not dim. My neighbor-friend was typing (with surprising speed I might add) words onto a picture and he said this: "Oh how times have changed, my friend."
I am sure that I will one day have these same feelings and I hope some young spring chicken will sit next to me and encourage me while I try new things.
2 comments:
Holly, I totally loved this post! How funny, and how true. Isn't is hard to imagine new technology that would be difficult for us to understand? Who know what the future will hold...
Holly, I love you. This blog was hilarious but I just think it shows how amazing you are...going to classes to try new things, helping old people...you're so good!
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