Much as I appreciate the speed and endless info available through the Internet, N4N is a semi-dinosaur who loves the old-school ritual: walking out to gather the ProJo and the Times, taking them from their wrappers, unfolding them to reveal the news of the day, and delving deep into their pages.
To: You
From: Your newspaper
Dear You:
Every day, I was there for You, rain or shine, good times and bad. I was always available. Like a puppy, all I ever wanted was to please You.
Was it lively conversation You wanted? Cackling opinions? The latest news and gossip? I gave You all that. I even tried to keep up on all the sports and business stuff because I knew you cared about that, too.
Oh, we had so many beautiful years together. Sometimes I made you mad. Often, I moved you. But we always made up.
And then a few years ago you rewarded my loyalty by straying. You went elsewhere. You sought the company of others who, you thought, gave you something that I could not. Fickle and faithless, you went looking for something faster, newer and younger.
Oh, You.
I wondered, incessantly, had I failed you? Was it me?
And then one day this week, You wanted me again. Hungrily. Desperately. You searched everywhere for me. You lined up outside my door, stood in the rain and cold, on the chance that I would be available to You again.
And I wasn't there. How ironic! . . .