It's Never Too Late
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
December 6, 2017 4:23pm CST
My daughter said some years ago,
to live abroad she had to go,
we'd miss each other very much
but there were ways to keep in touch.
The phone's expensive, mail is slow
and then she said "Before I go
I really think that you should get
connected to the internet."
Could not believe that she meant me,
a technophobe of 73 !
Though I had travelled far and wide
computing I had never tried.
Next day we went off to the shop,
we liked and bought a small laptop,
my daughter set it up for me
explained how things were meant to be.
So now with fingers deft and sure
(I'd never even typed before),
I utilize my new-found skill
to cruise around the world at will.
I'm an addict, there is no doubt
computer I'd not be without,
and though I'm still a technophobe
I've made new friends all round the globe.
I really didn't touch a computer until I was 73, and I was 74 before I wrote a poem. Did you find a new skill late in life?
58 people like this
59 responses
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
6 Dec 17
Yes I am always evolving to what is needed to make it in the world, however, I still love the hand written cards an letters.
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
6 Dec 17
@andriaperry I agree with you - an e-card is not very personal, is it?
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222838)
• Chile
6 Dec 17
Congratulations! Things are different than when we had to go to the post office with our letters and wait until forever.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
6 Dec 17
@marguicha Yes, it's a completely different world now, isn't it?
2 people like this
@marguicha (222838)
• Chile
7 Dec 17
@jaboUK Yes. And it is not that easy for us to get into the new era.
2 people like this
@rebelann (112780)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Dec 17
That's admirable. Maybe there's still some hope for me, I want to learn how to build a computer. **rubbing chin**
Uhhh, maybe I'd rather become an herbalist **still rubbing chin**
I got it, I want to learn how to be an insurance agent ...... I figure I already like and know how to use computers so that's half the battle won, right? 
I like your poem a lot. Currently I'm teaching myself how to learn new habits .... good ones of course.
I got it, I want to learn how to be an insurance agent ...... I figure I already like and know how to use computers so that's half the battle won, right?
I like your poem a lot. Currently I'm teaching myself how to learn new habits .... good ones of course.3 people like this
You're so very welcome. It's hard to believe you've basically only just started writing poems.
@LadyDuck (471294)
• Switzerland
8 Dec 17
Congratulations for both your new skills. I was only 29 when my husband bought the first personal computer, I already knew how to type. I can say that gardening is my new skill, I never planted a flower or a vegetable before we moved to Switzerland 10 years ago.
3 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
6 Dec 17
I learn new things all the time. You may be a technophobe....I'm technologically challenged...but my daughter tells me I have an advantage over many others with the same challenge....I'm willing to learn.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
6 Dec 17
@Morleyhunt Be willing to learn is more than half the battle
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Dec 17
@Morleyhunt I'm lucky in that I have a 'nearby techie' too. I'd be at a loss without him when things go wrong.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
7 Dec 17
@jaboUK and the things I have learned. Once I move I won't have a nearby techie to help me. I'll be figuring more and more out by myself
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
7 Dec 17
It's still never too late to learn things. My mom went back to school and got her BA and MA in Film studies in her 40s. I'm almost 30, and don't have a driver's license yet, but I'm almost there. I have a learner's and hoping to get a license soon.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
8 Dec 17
I like the story-poem you wrote here about how your daughter introduced you to the internet. I knew some of this.
I'd been wanting to write online for quite a few years before I found bubblews and now mylot. I did write a few articles on hubpages and have been making more each year from one of them, which is passive income for me. I've probably been writing online for around ten years now, and I was somewhat forced into running our business completely around the same time although I did do a lot with it before then. I didn't have to work it everyday if I didn't choose to.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
8 Dec 17
@MarshaMusselman That's interesting that you are still making passive income from something you wrote years ago. Thanks for liking the poem.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
13 Dec 17
@jaboUK the one article that is still bringing in income has 44k hits thus far. In the beginning it took about two years to get paid, but possibly its happening yearly now although I've not studied it.
It's the only thing I've written that would be considered evergreen.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Dec 17
See? You're never to old to learn @jaboUK . Excellent poem and I love those flowers in the picture. I waited until the age of 56 to get a Commercial Drivers License (semi trucks) and age 58 to get a degree in Criminal Justice.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Dec 17
@nanette64 Wow, I didn't know you had a degree in criminal justice.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
8 Dec 17
@jaboUK Yeah, and little did I realize that it wouldn't do me any good because as a Felon, I can't work in any of those fields.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
8 Dec 17
Yet another great poem!!! I remember you mentioned that you didn't use a computer or write until you were in your seventies. Kudos to you! I started serious walking for exercise later in life and enjoy it, just as I enjoy keeping in touch with friends and family via technology, too.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
7 Dec 17
hmmm, i cannot remember any new skill that i have developed at this age of mine.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Dec 17
@ridingbet You might discover something new by the time you get to my age.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
8 Dec 17
@ridingbet I'm sure you'll make it Ingrid, good luck.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
8 Dec 17
@jaboUK oh, i really wish to reach your age. that is why i am taking care of my heart to not stress it because i cannot yet have the operation.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
7 Dec 17
Great poem. I am glad you went and got tgat laptop that day.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
7 Dec 17
@Happy2BeMe Thanks Laurel, and I'm pleased you liked the poem.
2 people like this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
10 Dec 17
It truly is never too late. And it is a good thing that you learned it because not only you are able to keep in touch with your children. You have also reached so many people from all corners of the map.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Dec 17
@Daljinder That's so true DJ, and in thed process I've learned an awful lot too.
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
7 Dec 17
maybe as the flowers in your photo said it, late bloomer, but hey the blooms are more beautiful
2 people like this
