The years 1984 to 1986 were a heady time as far as new technology was concerned. Apple was new and shiny, particularly in schools.
Classes were starting to be devoted to the personal computer (both Apple and IBM PCs), usually once or twice a week.
And they were fascinating machines. So much so that you would hate for the half-hour or 40-minute period to end.
That's the way it was for me and my sister in any case.
And like the commercial says, an Apple IIc could be had for "under 1,300".
Not something that Jacquie or I ever thought would be a possible purchase in our single-parent home.
Mom worked very long hours at school and home to provide the necessities.
And we were very grateful and happy kids.
But during the Christmas season of 1985 Mom surprised us.
We got an Apple IIc!
And because she wanted to help us in our schooling, a monitor and printer!
We had three of the "thousands of programs".
A version of Space Invaders.
A game involving the BC comic character
And the AppleWorks word processing program.
And we were grateful for them all.
Because it saved my life where assignments were concerned!
Especially copying rows of words five times each for spelling!
One night, after about three years of this routine, our friend Alain was over.
Watching me do more spelling copying.
And he said, "Mike, I'm gonna show you something.".
The copy feature!
D-oh!
Open Apple-C!
But that's ok. Because it made me an above-average speller!
Thank you Jacquie, for not minding that the computer was mostly taken up with my homework needs.
I love you!
And of course, thank you Mom for scrimping and saving to get us the IIc.
You had help from the church and community.
But still...you probably went without a lot for our benefit.
And we were, and still are, so so grateful!
I know that my love of words and computers can be traced back to those years!
Thank you again Mom! Jacquie and I love you so very much!
And Happy Birthday!
Love Michel and Jacquie
