Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: QUESTION (S) (05/30/19)
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TITLE: One Small Step | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gerard Depuit
06/06/19 -
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Sylvia’s anxiety for her visit to her grandparent’s mountain retreat on this wintery morning had been building for the past month.
Today was a make or break opportunity that had been planned to enrich the life of her recently retired Grandfather, Angus.
Angus and his wife Becky lived in a remote lakeside cabin in the mountains surrounded by the imposing eucalypt forests where her Grandfather and pioneering ancestors had carved out an existence applying the principles of: “as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Regular trips to the mountain village made shopping, church attendance, and catching up with friends a welcome addition to the solitude they treasured so dearly.
Due to Grandfather’s forced retirement as a “Forestry Tree Feller” for the timber mill industry due to extreme physical demands, Sylvia knew that these excursions were taking a painful toll on him to the extent that he suggested that Grandmother make these trips on her own.
Becky had shared her concerns with Sylvia on several occasions, especially as it was becoming obvious that Angus was withdrawing from the things he once enjoyed including the men’s bible study group and the interaction with lifelong friends.
This resultant partnership embarked on the formidable task of empowering Angus with the excitement and astounding benefits of access to the digital age being available by some simple clicks on a user friendly keyboard.
Angus had made it crystal clear that this somewhat combined enthusiastic ambush, although possibly well intended, had left him bewildered as he was quite content to stay away from their frightening proposals.
Predictably, Angus came to the realization there was no escaping the combined persuasive determination of this petticoat government that had been imposed on him, reluctantly agreeing to sample these so called “digital delights” with an apprehension bordering on supressed excitement, and a miniscule spark of concealed anticipation.
During one of their animated discussions Angus stated that he was by now well equipped to handle all the hardware, software, malware, free ware ,hashtags, apps and virus challenges that this new technology offered, undoubtedly conspiring to intimidate him, he was more than ready.
This consequential response was somewhat terrifying, Angus felt numb, and his resolve melted instantly.
Sylvia wasted no time in mobilising her back–up team of collaborators.
A secured phone line ensuring uninterrupted, high speed data was miraculously installed by an understanding teenage technician who was taking a great delight in the discomfort of his apprehensive client.
The thoroughly scrutinised computer with all the bells and whistles that had been reasoned to be a minimum requirement to propel Grandfather into the orbit of digital exploration was purchased and was now safely tucked away on the back seat of Sylvia’s vehicle waiting to be revealed in all its splendour.
As Sylvia approached the cottage she experienced that familiar feeling of serenity. Recent snow had seemingly wrapped itself around the cottage intensifying the tranquillity of this bush haven.
Angus greeted her with the customary bear hug and ushered her into the the welcoming warmth of the kitchen where Becky’s reassuring embrace eliminated any trepidation.
Two hours later it was all systems go and true to his word it became obvious that Angus had done his homework and with a twinkle in his eye declared he was ready to “fly solo”.
As Sylvia watched those gnarled, work stained fingers clumsily negotiate the key board, her tear blurred vision experienced a sense of relief as Becky stood captivated, both perceiving that Angus knew more than he had led them to believe.
Having shared afternoon tea Angus revealed that he had secretly been visiting the on-line centre in the village library and had been reassuringly advised that he had the capacity to become a “wilderness computer nerd” by his teacher Gordon whose motto was “Questions are the key which unlock potential”.
Both Sylvia and Becky were relieved that their insistence had indeed motivated Angus to accept their challenging overtures with typical resolve to not allow a simple computer to overshadow his self-worth.
Having established that Angus was indeed in digital orbit Sylvia encouraged Angus to email her if he required any further support as he delved into the perceived unknown.
Two weeks later Sylvia opened an email from her Grandfather advising that both he and Becky were enjoying on-line church services and that he had joined a men’s bible study forum.
He signed off by thanking her for teaching him that one small step can lead to leaps of joy.
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