Sunday, August 18, 2013

Dad's typewriter...

This is the kind of typewriter my dad used all through his life. It was the kind that didn't accidentally print, you had to push hard all the way down on each key to print the letter.  I can just see him there, in his office (the room my brother shared with him as his bedroom... dad's desk and bookshelves lined 2 walls, my brother's bed and stuff took up the other half.

We tried to 'modernize' dad when electric typewriters came along. He resisted. When computers began to be a normal part of life, he still persisted with that old Smith and Corona.

When I review all he accomplished with that old machine, it is pretty amazing. He did years of ministry on that typewriter. Every speaking engagement was done by snail mail, back and forth, to pastors, conferences, etc. He wrote his books and articles on that same old machine, day after day, for a lifetime, none of it with a secretary or a computer, just hunt and poke.

And the best part... Dad liked it! That typewriter was his friend, just like his books were. He didn't need a secretary, just his faithful typewriter.

I often find it difficult to sit down, and with full use of computer and software, put together more than a simple blog. 

The ones that came before us were a hardy stock, they would say the same of their own parents. From horse and buggy to jet airplanes, from old typewriters to Apple, IPads and all the rest...

I wonder what life will look like 50 years from now or 100. One thing will never change...

"Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday today and forever."

14 comments:

Joy said...

You have an amazing father and we have a more amazing Father God:)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And how true; when I think of the WHiteout that I used to use when I used a typewriter like this in SCHOOL, I wonder how I did it all. Then from my husband's early days in college and even up to my Bachelor's degree, we used typewriters. Yes, I've often asked this question. What will life be like in just 30 years? But I know one thing. Jesus will always be the same. Anita

Vee said...

Gosh. He really was in love with the typewriter. Even my 101-year-old grandmother fell in love with the computer. ☺

If the common cold is cured in the next fifty years, I will think that something has been accomplished. Otherwise, pfffttt...

And AMEN that we have A Constant in our lives!

Debbie Petras said...

It is amazing how life has changed. My mom used to type on a typewriter like that too. I still have many notes from her that she typed. And all of her recipe cards that I treasure are typed on a machine like the one your dad used.

Love,
Debbie

manthano said...

The old typewriter sure brings back memories.
But, is there not also a lesson here?
We do not always have to have the newest,
latest and greatest to do the job God gave
us.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Amen...they were strong and I don't remember them ever complaining. I have a lot to learn from them. The easier life becomes with all our technology the easier we become impatient.
I love stories on your family and your heritage.

Sharon said...

I kinda miss the old typewriters. Way back when I worked for my dad in his office, I used this adding machine thing to do his invoices. No calculators, just rows of push-button numbers. I also answered the phones - the plug-in switchboard kind!

I really miss the old days sometimes.

However, I am glad that I never had to iron the old-fashioned way!!

I can't wait to meet your dad in Heaven! He has left such a legacy.

GOD BLESS!

Debbie said...

AMEN! I was going to say something very similar to Janette. It doesn't seem to matter how simple things get, we just want them to go faster and faster. Sometimes I think of how nice it would be to just slow it all down for a while. But I'd probably do my share of complaining too. Great post!

Debbie said...

I am going to keep this short and sweet because I keep losing my connection tonight. We're stormy here.

My mom has one in her attic similar. I love it and I really (realllly) love what you said about those of his stock and what they were able to accomplish with what we would call "primitive" tools today.

Hope this sends....

Debbie said...

Yay!!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

My dad used one as well. I'm thinking he should return to it, as he has so many problems making sense out of his computer!

Just a little something from Judy said...

I appreciate men of God like your dad. I am thankful for their legacy and the way they continue to teach me, that the old ways are sometimes the best ways. I am also grateful for the ways their writings and teachings have been preserved for us, to encourage us on our life journey, like what I was reading from Charles Spurgeon recently. But, most of all, I am
thankful that our God never, ever changes.

This morning I thanked God for you as I visited your blog.

myletterstoemily said...

i remember how hard it was to push down
those keys. your dad's hands must have
been as strong as his faith.

Terry said...

dear mra. goodson...i just stumbled on your blog and i think i will like it!....when i read this verse, i felt really happy...i think i will read more...from teresa shirkie