By ANN WORTHINGTON

A telephone is a marvelous thing, especially in the time of need. I remember the first telephone my family and I had.

It was black, chunky, thick, and heavy, but it was a beautiful thing to us because it was surely a dream come true for all of us.

The first phone we had was what was known as a four-party line, meaning if our families shared the line, and if we picked up the receiver, we could hear everything they were saying. Often, we would have to wait quite a while to use the phone.

Next came a two-party line. That was much better because we could use the phone a little bit more often.

Patience was the name of the game for all the parties involved, but we always managed this type of phone line very well and tried to be considerate of others, which is what it took.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we received a private line.

Boy, was that a huge improvement to the whole family because we could talk all we wanted without bothering anyone else. And talk we did.

I think my young children even learned some of their numbers and the alphabet by aggravating their grandparents with many phone calls during the day. The grandparents played right along with them, which delighted the youngsters.

Our old phones had holes where we had to place our fingers and spin the dial around until a bell would ring. We did this until all the numbers or letters were completed, then we were ready to talk away.

Who would have ever thought that we would one day be able to receive or make phone calls as far away as around the world, or phones with speed dialing, voice mail, call waiting, caller I.D. answering services ... the list goes on and on.

Now, it is wonderful for parents to order cell phones for their children, because if nothing else, the parents can know where their children are and the children can call if they find a real need. It’s hard to believe when I see someone walking down the street with a phone up to their ear. I’m always amazed at what invention will take place next.

So here we are today, my friends, with all these new fangle-dangled inventions, in brilliant colors no less, souped up with anything and everything one’s heart desires. We are truly living in an electronic world and it just keeps getting better and better, but I was always content with what I had and felt blessed to have it.

My reader friends, my time is up and I thank you for yours, so until next time, tell someone that you love them today.

As always, be truly blessed.