Computer Lessons

I met a senior woman at the hostel. Her name was Cynthia. We exchanged life stories and hers was just as interesting as some of the "foreigners."

I don't know how old the woman is, but she calls herself a senior citizen. She moved to Tucson to do hospice care. Originally, she wasn't a nurse, but recently felt called to take up this profession...essentially begin anew in the second - or possibly third - stage of her life. She essentially packed her bags and moved to Tucson, like me...except she had a job. She told me about how she felt out of place beginning all over again and how the younger hospice care workers would scoff at her. Cynthia, however, was determined. It was something she felt passionate about, though she didn't share exactly why.

I suppose she felt touched by my reasons for moving to Tucson and took a liking to me. She gave me a ride to the mall the other day to pick up a pair of jeans I ordered. We got lost, even with her GPS announcing directions for all to hear. However, I was glad for it, because we shared more about how things in our lives seemed to bring us to where we were. She calls it the "Universe" while I call it God. Regardless, it was really great to share the feeling of being where we were supposed to be.

Earlier that morning, Cynthia asked me to help her with the computer. She needed a map and some location information. I pulled it up for her and she was amazed. She asked me to show her some other things like just pulling up a browser and finding a store. The computer was very foreign to her and she was so grateful to me for taking the time to show her how to use it. Cynthia told me about how librarians in the town where she lived "ran away" when they saw her coming, because they didn't like answering her questions. I told her I was more than happy to help. She asked me if I would be interested in doing this regularly, and - not having anything else to do - I said, "Sure." She said she's wanted computer classes for three years now and would be happy to pay me. She asked me to think about a rate. I felt bad taking money from an older woman, but I accepted it as a form of gratitude. I learned a few years ago that accepting "thank you" is just as important as saying it.

Today we had our second session. Cynthia amazed me at how new everything was to her - everything that I took for granted. Simple things like knowing which windows to close (some have multiple X's in one) and replying to e-mails. She took notes and told me she'll have to practice. She thanked me at the end and I assured her that it was my pleasure to help. She insisted paying me at a rate double of what I was going to ask. It's not enough to cover groceries for the week, but it will definitely help :). I have a feeling this is going to be one of those token friendships you read about in books and see in movies about a young person and an old person benefitting from each other unexpectedly. The funny thing is I think only a few times in my life have I looked forward to working with an older person. Usually I just get frustrated and therefore avoid it. However, today I was glad to see her. A computer lesson gave me a sense of purpose for the day, which is so important when I wake up feeling like a failure because I don't have a job.

She probably doesn't even realize how she's helping me in more ways than one. I look forward to the next lesson.