Lives Touched by Apples

I had scheduled a One-to-One appointment to learn how to use my new MacBook Air at the Soho Apple store for Wednesday morning at 9:00.  About 12 hours earlier, the rest of the world, and I, learned that Steve Jobs had died.  We were just beginning to realize what we had lost.

A pot of bright yellow chrysanthemums, sitting on the sidewalk against a storefront, caught my eye as I turned off Broadway and walked towards the corner of Prince and Mercer.  Mourners and well-wishers had already begun their tributes beside the Apple store's tall glass doors.

Walking under the simple black logo,
I opened the door and went it.
     







It was quiet. Of course, it was still early morning; many shops in the area had not yet opened. Delivery trucks, pulled up to curbs, were off-loading bagels in boxes and clothes on racks, while street vendors spread today's specials across tables. About 20 customers were browsing at iPads, iPhones, iPods, iEverything downstairs, with close to an equal number at the Genius Bar and personal training tables upstairs.

Blue-shirted Apple specialists, who eagerly stepped forward to offer assistance in my previous visits, stood in pairs and trios - somber, subdued - talking softly among themselves, shock still fresh on their faces.



       




I met my personal trainer, and we sat down at the corner of a large blonde, wooden table, surrounded by other couples of teachers and learners.  As I turned on my computer and clicked on Safari, it automatically opened to Apple's website displaying the pensive picture of Steve Jobs (photo no longer shown; replaced by written tributes), accompanied solely by the dates, 1955-2011.  My companion said, "You know, he made computers fun.  Not just numbers and algorithms.  He made them fun for everyone - pictures, videos, phones -- fun!" I listened as he went on, "You think about the world and all its problems, the economic crisis, wars, but when you think of Apple, don't you think about peace?  It's a peaceful thing, all he created." Shaking his head to re-focus, he apologized for his philosophizing and started our lesson.

My mind was only half-way concentrating on the wonders of the MacBook Air, while the rest of it was pondering the influence one life can have on so many others.  This twenty-something young man, so intently helping me understand the beauty of my new computer, had profoundly been touched by Steve Jobs, a man whose life work has permeated the way all of us live our lives.

The flowers, candles, pictures and personal notes had grown during my hour in the store.  As I exited, I noticed one sign, in particular, which spoke to the legacy Steve Jobs leaves to countless generations, who will never know what the world was like before his genius.