Chapter 1: Discovering Medium

I stumbled upon Medium through shared links on Social Media. With my recent retirement, I found myself spending more time online. Reflecting on my childhood dreams, I always wanted to be a writer or a teacher. I still remember crafting stories in second grade while chaos surrounded me. I had a subscription to a children’s magazine, which once featured a section titled, “Now You Finish the Story.” I submitted my own ending, and to my delight, it was published with my name—a moment of immense pride!

While caring for my parents with Alzheimer’s, I came across John Leland's book, Happiness is a Choice You Make, which chronicles the lives of six individuals in their late 80s. I adored the book and took the chance to email the author. To my surprise, he replied! This response felt more thrilling than an autograph from a rock star, showcasing his kindness despite his busy schedule. I experienced a similar joy when Lee J. Bentch quickly responded to my inquiries about Medium.

Initially, I aimed to write a story daily on Medium, but I’ve been enjoying the freedom that retirement offers instead. What I truly cherish now is immersing myself in the myriad of stories from various authors on Medium. Whenever I respond to an author from my phone and spot that little green dot, I feel a rush of excitement knowing they have replied! This experience is infinitely more rewarding than my previous addiction to Candy Crush, which I often turned to while juggling caregiving and a full-time job.

As a child, books were my lifeline. Being the eldest of two siblings, I formed friendships with fictional characters. After finishing a captivating book, I often felt a pang of sadness, longing for the next one to meet new friends. In my younger years, I frequently devoured multiple works by a single author, who became my companion. Writers like John Steinbeck, Kurt Vonnegut, Mark Twain, and various newspaper columnists were part of my circle of friends.

However, it never crossed my mind to reach out to these authors, many of whom were no longer alive, even though their words lived on. The beauty of the green dot on Medium is that it allows me to engage in conversations with authors about their experiences and narratives. It’s a far more enriching interaction than a chance meeting at the grocery store because I get to choose the conversations I engage in. We can all be thoughtful listeners and responders without the need to tidy up our homes for visitors. At this stage in my life, I still appreciate socializing, but I’ve grown comfortable with just sitting and enjoying the moment without the pressure of cleaning.

I extend my gratitude to Francis Lee for inspiring this reflection and brightening my day with that little green dot!

Section 1.1: The Magic of Interaction

Subsection 1.1.1: The Nostalgia of Reading

Reading has always been a significant part of my life, shaping my thoughts and emotions.

Chapter 2: The Impact of the Green Dot

In this review, the author discusses Green Dot by Madeleine Gray, highlighting its themes and engaging narrative.

Explore the features of the Cyelee GT10 Auto-On Green Dot Sight in this informative video, showcasing its capabilities and practical applications.