Digital Photo Frames: The Perfect Gift For A Mother Who Doesn’t Want To Blow Up The World

Years ago, Jay Leno had a stand-up routine about how his mother was suspicious of any newfangled thing her son brought into her house.

One of the first things he bought, after he hit it big, was a new television, complete with wireless remote, for his parents. It disturbed him to see his parents have to get up and manually change the channel, adjust the sound, etc, and he wanted them to have the very best that he could manage. He showed his folks how to use the remote, and went on his way.

The next time he visited his parents, he noticed that they were still getting up, walking across the room, and manually changing the channel, adjusting the sound, etc.

“Mom,” he said, “where’s the remote?”

“It’s right here, son, in this drawer,” replied Mrs. Leno, indicating a small drawer in the table by her chair.

“Why is it in the drawer? Why aren’t you using it? Why are you and Dad still getting up and walking across the room to change the channel manually? Don’t you like your new TV?”

“Oh, son, we love the new TV - it’s wonderful.”

“Then why are you still getting up and walking across the room to change the channel? Why do you keep the remote shut up in the drawer?”

“To tell you the truth, son, I’m afraid that if I aim the remote at that tiny little sensor and miss, I’ll blow up the vase of flowers I keep on top of the tv. I keep the remote in this drawer so it won’t harm anyone.”

Ever since I heard Jay Leno tell this story, MANY years ago, I use the phrase “Jay Leno’s Mom Syndrome” to describe anyone with an electronic gadget phobia. My own mother has it, big time.

That is why, for her birthday, I bought her a digital photo frame, already loaded full of pictures. All she has to do is look at it. Whether she is in the room or not, it’s hanging there on her wall, slide-showing picture after picture of the grandkids, her family, everyone she’s ever known, and every place she’s ever been. We took her ancient photo albums and had digital copies made of all of her old snapshots, and loaded them into the frame, so there are some really ancient pictures in that slideshow. She panicked at the thought of having to program anything, so we told her never to touch it. Whenever one of her kids drops by, he/she checks out the digital frame, puts a few more pictures in it, and reminds her that all she has to do is look. No hassle, no blowing up the planet, just watch it.

I was over there tonight and she was sitting in her chair, just watching her digital picture frame. There may have been traces of tears, but we both pretended we weren’t sentimental, and ignored them.

We loaded the frame with old 1940’s and 1950’s mp3’s, too. I think she watches her digital photo frame more than her television.

Does your mother have Jay Leno’s Mom Syndrome, too? I know what you can get her for her birthday, or Mother’s Day, or Christmas, or just because you love her. I think you know, too.