Reflections of a Full-Time Working Mother slash Clinician-Educator: "A Change is Gonna Come"

Things that make life easier for me, Volume 1.

Apple stuff. . .the boom boom and the pow.

Okay, so today I was off--YAY!--and in the grocery store grabbing a few items (or "staples" as my mom says) for the house. As I pushed my (kid-free!) shopping cart, I found myself thinking about how many great inventions there have been over the last two decades that have made my overscheduled, overstretched, and all-around wacky life much easier. Boy, have the last twenty years been good to us technologically!

At this very moment, I have no idea how my mom and all the moms before her managed without microwave pancakes or phones that email and text. It's good to be an adult in the midst of all of this. Getting in trouble and getting "busted" take on a whole new meaning with all this technology. One time, Isaiah's pre-school teacher sent a multimedia video text of him throwing a temper tantrum. Just pulled out her phone and just like that, he was totally busted. Talk about the Y2K version of a "note home from school!"

Anyways, I can't say enough how much some of these inventions that now seem every day have changed my life. I gave God a shoutout right there in Publix Supermarket for evolving life to this point, just in the nick of time for me to take the stage as a mother/wife/physician/teacher/grown woman.

At the risk of seeming like a horrible mother and homemaker, I will list a few things that I periodically look at and think, "What a great idea, man!" Would totally be interested to hear a few of yours. . . . .

1. Text messaging and the QWERTY keypad.

First of all, I personally think this was invented for husbands, or at least mine. 99% of the sweet nothings I hear are not whispered in my ear at all but are in the form quick text messages (fortunately without too many gag-inducing emoticons.) "Love You." "You make me so happy." "Thank you for all you do." It's like my stoic Ranger Harry turns into a big ol' soft teddy bear at the hands of a Blackberry. I firmly believe that the text message revolution is one of the best things that has ever happened to our marriage. Not the best, my friends. . . but like. . definitely one of them. I'm just saying.

2. Microwave pancakes and fully cooked microwave bacon.

OMG. Praying that the microwave is not a poison box because it sho' nuff gets used in my house. Whoever came up with the six second bacon deserves a fist bump, for real--it's crazy.

For the record, I don't even EAT bacon. But kids? Kids like bacon and pancakes. (If you are a health nut and a strict vegan, I assure you that behind your back, even your little angels would inhale some bacon, too.) In case you missed it, I barely have time to eat a bowl of cereal, let alone whip up pancakes with a side of bacon. This invention completely rocks. Completely.

3. ON DEMAND Cable Television and DVR/TiVo.

You pick the show you want to watch, and watch it when you want. Genius. You can record what you like, and then fall asleep in front of it at your own discretion and schedule. Double genius. Thanks to this, I will never miss the Oprah show again. (Although I am starting a one year mourning process as her final season starts this September. . . . )

4. Wi Fi and changes in the internet.

Good heavens. What on earth did we do before "hot spots?" Do you remember waiting for your phone modem to connect? The only thing I miss about that is the AOL man saying, "Welcome! You've got mail!" Other than that, it's a beautiful thing.

Furthermore, this has revolutionized medical education. I cannot believe that when I was a med student we had no email, email addresses or Power Point. No Power Point? Crazy, I know!

5. Multi-media text messaging and cameras that take photos.

Keeps you and the kids in touch with the grandparents, and is a great way to amuse yourself during boring meetings. (Just kidding. . .errr. . .I always pay attention in meetings.)

6. Navigation systems.

The best, man.

7. The complete comeback of Apple products.

The iPod started it all, and then they were on a roll. Am in love with all from my MacBook Pro, to my iMac, to, of course, the iPhone . . . . .gasp. . . and my newest baby, the iPad! I even named her. "Patty." (Lame I know, but she's such a great friend.) I'm a self-proclaimed Apple snob--totally.

Case in point:

Colleague-friend: "I don't know what's wrong with this stupid computer!"

Me: "I do. It's not an Apple."

Colleague-friend: "Snob."

Me: "At least I ain't two-thousand-and-late like you." (Yes, I may have actually said this. . .)

8. Jog Strollers (Double and Single.)

Looovveee them. The only thing better than the single jog stroller is the "double wide."

9. One cup coffee makers.

Feeling warm and fuzzy just thinking of it. . . .

10. Digital photography.

You can take a trillion and delete all the ones that make your face look fat or where you forgot to hold in your tummy.

11. Amazon kindle and the whole book download revolution.

Love. It.

12. On-line Bill Pay.

The bomb. Haven't bought a stamp in like, ten years.

13. Cosmetics for people of color.

God bless you, MAC cosmetics.


14. iTunes.

Sigh. Yesterday on rounds my almost 80 year old patient told me she loves Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke, and wished she could find her old albums. I downloaded her two favorite songs right there on the spot, at her bedside, and played them for her on my iPhone. "Unforgettable" and "A Change is Gonna Come." You tell me what is doper than that? Better than any medication I could have ordered on her chart or any consult.

Her smile and surprise were absolutely the best things I have seen all month. The best. Hands down.

15. Google.

Heavens to mergatroid! What did we do without you, Google? How were we able to determine impostors from real folks while simultaneously finding the nearest "Yoforia" yogurt spot?



I'll stop at 15, but am sure more will come to mind. . . . . .aww shoot! Forgot to say on-line shopping and on-line pizza ordering . . . . .oh and can't forget on-line airport check-in. . . . .oh man, and YouTube. . . . . . .


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Click here to hear Sam Cooke singing "A Change is Gonna Come" the song I played for my patient. . . . I wish you could have been there to see it. . . . .eyes closed, shaking her head from side to side, and snapping her long, leathery fingers. . . . sigh. . .makes me wanna cry just thinking of how happy hearing those songs made her. :)

"MY Sam Cooke" as Mrs. T called him