Evolution of the Phone Call

Age 2-3: Learn to talk on the phone. Nod in response to questions rather than answering with a yes or no as if your caller can see you.

Age 3-4: Wanting to call Grandma to tell her you pooped in the potty!

Age 5-7: Call Grandma to see if you can spend the night. Cry if she says no.

Age 7-11: Call friends to come over and play.

Age 12-14: Rushing to the phone when it rings and running to your bedroom because you need to have a private conversation either about the boy that you like or with the boy that you like.

Age 15-18: Calling your friends to talk about relationships, homework, how ridiculous your parents are, your new car, or what you’re wearing to the football game on Friday night.

Age 18-22: Calling your best friends from high school because you miss them, calling your mom if you’ve moved away to college to tell her you miss her or to hear her voice and ask how your dog is doing, leaving your cell phone on under your pillow in case your new friends call for a designated driver.

Age 22-27: Seeing your old friends call that you have somewhat lost touch with to tell you that they’re getting married, having a baby, or wanting some support because their grandmother has just passed away.  

Age 28…back to leaving your phone on under your pillow because you almost anticipate something bad happening to your own grandparents or parents.

I don’t have much experience with phone calls past the age of 28, but it’s interesting to examine the evolution of the phone call.  I watch my little 3 year old cowboy so excited to talk on the phone to daddy, cousins, and grandparents. I’m wholly expecting him to learn to use the phone independently and begin to call some of his favorite people soon, possibly the Lone Ranger...if we can find his phone number! There are stages of our lives that the phone is great, and makes you happy…and other times where whatever ringtone you’ve chosen can be just a little bit nerve-racking, especially those late night or early morning calls as we get older. I can only imagine that the older we get, the scarier the phone calls become.