The „I don´t have minutes, Mom” Blues

I live in Europe, my kids in the States.

I could call them anytime, I have good rates

The only thing I have to keep in mind

they are most of the time seven hours behind.

So this Sunday I dare, I give it a try

This Sunday I call, just to say “Hi”

I call my daughter, the cellphone rings

after a few seconds the recording begins:

“Hi, you reached Tammy´s cell, at this time,

I am terribly sorry I can´t pick up the line,

I am either away or out of minutes right now

but leave me a message I get back to you somehow”.

All that echoes in my brain

are the words “out of minutes” what does that mean?

Disappointed I wonder what can be done?

Finally I decide I will call my son.

It has been a while since we talked ´heart to heart´

But I should not forget we live far apart.

I want to know ´bout the Babies teeth, stay in touch,

and the new apartment, the neighborhood and such.

He needed money so I send him some bucks

Did he get them? Not to know really sucks!

So I call my son and the cellphone rings

But after a few moments the recording begins:

“Hi, you reached Tana and John´s cell, at this time,

We are terribly sorry we can´t pick up the line,

we´re either away or out of minutes right now

but leave us a message we get back to you somehow”.

Frustrated I stare at the Phone, swallow hard,

again no connection my heart tears apart.

The distance, the lifestyle, the time difference

makes it hard to keep contact with family and friends.

One son remains, the youngest of them all.

I pray my Baby will answer my call.

The Girlfriend is pregnant, with a girl so I am told,

how is the weather, does it snow, is it cold?

I look up the number he has a new phone,

so please let this one be at home.

So I call my son, the cell phone rings

but after a few moments the recording begins

“Hi, you reached Tana´s and Josh´s cell, at this time,

we are terribly sorry we can´t pick up the line,

we´re either away or out of minutes right now

but leave us a message we get back to you somehow”.

A “cell” is a mobile- a small portable phone

without, like “the card”, I wont leave my home

thats why I have it right by my side

so everybody can reach me day and night

Why share my financial embarrassment at all?

With being “out of minutes” every time there is a call?

Is it contagious? An epidemic that covers the land?

Or is it just the finances are badly planned?

So next Sunday I know I will again try

I wish they get minutes so that I can say “Hi”