Last Call from Marc

THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE CHILDREN IS A REMINDER TO SAVOR THE MOMENTS OF WONDER.

When I was the editor of a weekly newspaper, December was always one of my most favorite months because I had the opportunity to read some of the area’s most enjoyable and meaningful works — letters to Santa Claus.

We invited the young students from the schools to write letters to Saint Nick, and then we shared them with our readers. I have fond memories of sitting after-hours at the office with stacks of letters (easily in the hundreds) covering my desk as I read heartfelt wishes.

The moment of realization was exhilarating and satisfying. No instant internet searching. No smartphone scrolling. No flipping through worn pages.

Instead, an answer was plucked from the far reaches of my memory.

The world is coming undone. The world is prospering like never before.

We are living in troubled times. We are living in times of great progress.

A radio conversation on the perception of the world’s perils piqued my interest recently, and further research led me down a rabbit hole of discovery.

The New York Times contributing opinion writer Frank Bruni has an insightful weekly newsletter that offers his thoughts on politics, life and “matters of national importance.”

Of the highest importance — and often most anticipated —are updates on his dog, Regan.

STEPPING AWAY FROM THE IMMEDIACY OF TECHNOLOGY WAS REFRESHING

The words on the screen mocked me: “Trying to connect.”

First they taunted me from my laptop, and then the derision continued from my phone. All connections were lost.

The internet was out.

When Steve Jobs stood on a stage way back in October 2001, few could imagine that the product he was launching would have a lasting impact on our lives. 

The Apple iPod, a device that could hold “1,000 songs in your pocket,” was revealed.

The soothing comforts of the season arrive with five words: “Well, Suzyn, I thank you.”

Five words that erase the harsh wintry winds and instead brighten the possibilities of spring.

Imagine that we would accept our differences in ideology and cooperate on the basis that we share the same biology. Imagine that instead of the short-term gain for one, we would plan for the long-term benefit for all.

Imagine that following the lessons of World War II, we would agree to ban nuclear-powered weaponry. Imagine that instead of engaging in cyber warfare, we focus on finding solutions to real-world affairs.

I can’t wait until my Meta Me — the digital version of me — becomes a reality.

His name is “Sir Alex,” a mix between “Siri” and “Alexa,” which seems appropriate since my middle name is Alex. It will of course have a gender-correct male voice.

A sense of hope was undeniable at an early morning youth futsal game. 

Parents, gripping tall to-go coffee cups, made small talk outside the gym. A father and son tossed a football in the grass. 

A young boy earnestly dribbled a basketball around his mother and uncle, losing possession then scurrying excitedly to retrieve the ball.

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