Dearly departed little Dell,

It is with great sadness that I am typing on a new computer and you, my cherished friend are now filed away in some box. Getting rid of you was heartbreaking but the time had come for you to go.  I want you to know that you had me at hello nine years ago when you came into my life. You were nothing but a dear sweet little refurbished Dell laptop that never gave me any trouble. I loved the feel of your keyboard as we typed out my thoughts and answered emails. We traveled the country until one day you could no longer hold a charge. Not wanting to throw you into some vast wasteland I invested 60 dollars in a lovely AC adapter so we could continue on.

Did you know you were once checked at customs where they went through my 134 bookmarks of recipes, pictures and soap opera news?  They knew that you had never done anything wrong and as you were handed back to me, they probably wondered if I really cooked that much. We listened to music on youtube daily and talked to no one in particular as we both read the Huffington Post each day.

Six months ago you started to give me problems but I hung on, with nothing but slivers of hope that you might get better. You suddenly had lots of trouble logging on and logging off. Then there was the matter of “repairing” you at least six times a day because you just did not have enough strength to keep the internet alive. I attempted to overlook it and tried not to complain but when your keys started going this week I knew it was the beginning of the end for you.

My friend Catherine, who is quite the tech wizard, offered lots of ideas to help keep you alive. Your keys were sticking and I heard your pain as I tweezed out the nest of dirt under the "G" key on Thursday. Then the cyber sickness spread and three keys fell to their demise as I pried off way too much to clean under the keys. This morning the backspace key tumbled and I knew it was the end. In my dreams I thought all it would take was a new keyboard and a trip to Best Buy was planned to fight for your survival.

As I walked into Best Buy the staff was friendly and helpful even though I felt like I was buying a cyber casket. I have to be honest with you and admit I cheated on you as soon as I realized buying a keyboard would not be the solution. I quickly fondled "others" with names like Toshiba, Sony and Dell and found out that you had grown overweight compared to these new laptops. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I marveled at their speed and finally made my decision in agony. In my grief I attempted to explain to the Best Buy sales clerk what had happened to you as he nodded his head and agreed I had no other choice.

I didn’t mention the upcoming changes to you while my files were being transferred to the new computer and I lost the top part of my fingernail in your canyon that was once called the ‘H’ key. As I watched your annoying lengthy updates being done while I shut you down one last time I had tears in my eyes.  Your life force was finally gone forever as I sadly packed you away. I know in my heart you will always be a memory but now as I now type on shiny new keys that are free of underlying dust crumbs and hair I smile.

Sometimes you just have to say goodbye. Parting is such sweet sorrow my little friend and may you rest in pieces. I know you tried to apologize and I told you repeatedly that you did your very best. Always remember -  "love means never having to say you're sorry" even if you are a computer.

Linda Seccaspina 2011

Images by Linda.

NOW if you think that magnified key picture is disgusting- it is. If I look at it normally it looks clean after I sprayed the condensed air. Magnified- it looks like gremlins have been living there. Yes, this is also YOUR keyboard. I taped the tops of the keys to the poor old thing just in case miracles happen.

They do you know..