Yesterday I bought a newspaper, The Sunday Edition. It was $1.75. The newspaper was beside the counter at the ice-cream store. The headline was, ” SPECIAL REPORT, Trouble on the Thun Trail.” I wanted to read how a few high-profile crimes are hurting the image of a popular route for cyclists and hikers. And there was a coupon about how to win Free Lasik surgery.
My husband asked me, “Why are you buying a newspaper?”
I replied, “Because I want to read it.”
The paper is sitting beside me as I write this morning. I am thinking about my husbands question yesterday. Why did I buy the newspaper? I didn’t have to. I can get the news on-line. The coupons inside I can print off the internet. I could read the paper at the Library.
I bought the newspaper because I wanted to hold the news in my hands. I wanted to sit in a comfortable chair and read. I didn’t want to read the news on my computer or at the Library.
There are digital books and real books with front and back covers. There is online news and real newspapers made out of paper that you can hold. There are online friends and people standing in front of you friends.
I love my friends that I talk to on-line. I enjoy reading the news on-line.
But today, I want to read my newspaper. I want to feel the paper, and hear the crumble of the paper. I want to fold it and cut out interesting articles.
Today I want to see a friend that lives close by my house. I want to hug her and drink a cup of coffee. I want to look in her eyes and hear her laugh. I want to pray for her and hear her stories.
“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh?” he whispered.
“Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand. “I just wanted to be sure of you.”
―A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Digital is nice. Real is better.
What about you? Do you want to hold a newspaper and hug a friend today?
Please tell me in the comments. I would love to chat.
