My computer has started to run
very slowly
and I discover that the hard disk
is nearly full –
time to tidy up my computer!

And so I begin to delete
files and folders
that I no longer need
(taking particular delight
in deleting all of my work files,
now that I’m retired!)

When one of my work folders
takes much longer to delete
than I expect,
I check my computer screen
which helpfully flashes up
the name of every file
being deleted.
I notice that some of these names
aren’t work files –
they’re my own personal files.
In a panic
I stop the deletion process
before tentatively checking
my personal folder –
EVERYTHING HAS GONE!

I stare at the screen
in disbelief.
My writings – gone!
My photos – gone!
My singing – gone!
My music – gone!

Heart pounding,
I grab my laptop
and rush to my son
who is a computer whizz
and I ask that all-important question –
can he retrieve my files
(especially my writings)?

My son takes my laptop,
and calmly says,
“I’ll look at it later –
there’s special software I can use.”
Then he returns to his work.

I leave my laptop with my son,
convinced that I now have
a few more grey hairs!

Later that night
my son presents to me
a memory stick containing
every … single … deleted … file.

Such a relief!

Thank you, Lord,
for the skill of computer technicians
and computer programmers
who calmly, painstakingly
and without scolding
retrieve and repair missing work
when our great computer tidy-ups
go horribly wrong.

Where would we be
without them?

© Claire Murray, 6th February 2022