Confessional

Okay, its finally time I come clean here and admit the ugly truth. Brace yourself. This one is a doozy.

I do not own a cell phone.

Its true. Brian has one that he got from work, but we literally never use it. It still performs a 1998 cell phone function of "for emergencies only". And no, emergencies do not (apparently) include topics like "We've just run out of Reese's Pieces" or "Its your turn to change Maddie's diaper." Apparently.

It seems like something I should be embarassed about, really. When people ask for my cell number I am forced to say, "Oh, I don't have one". To which I get one of two responses: "Really!?" or "Really?!" The inflection and tone with which that word is uttered reveal either disbelief or abject horror. And I again have to tell them that no, I don't have one. But here's my home number.

I don't call people from the car.

If Brian is at the grocery store and I forgot to tell him to buy more Reese's Pieces then I might as well write it on next week's list. Or send him back immediately.

I don't text.

I don't take pictures with my phone.

I don't twitter.

The list goes on.

I have nothing personally against such activities - especially if it means never running out of Reese's Pieces. But the bottom line is that I don't have one...and I honestly don't know if I "miss" it.

Someone asked me the other day if I missed it. I had to pause and think. How do you miss something you really never had? Oh sure, I've had a cell phone before. I got one when I was 16 and was driving 100 miles a day (logging in many miles to school and work). Cell phones have always been "emergencies only" for me. So no, I do not miss texting my friends, twittering, or taking pictures of my kids when we are out and about. That's not to say I wouldn't possibly enjoy it. But I don't feel like I am missing anything either.

Do cell phones make us more or less connected? Hard to say. I've been irritated enough times by a cell phone ringing mid-conversation with someone only to have them actually stop talking to me to answer or text back. That didn't happen as much - people interrupting others - before everyone got a cell phone. And I get the convenience factor. I really do.

But for now, I'm kinda glad I don't have one. No, I don't miss it. Maybe someday I'll get one. When that day comes you can bet I will pick the most obnoxious ringtone known to mankind. But even then, I'll ignore the scores of people who need to reach me if we are having a conversation. Because that is something I have grown to value more and more.