And still does when we can get our son on it. But I can send a few words on Facebook messaging, and he'll get it instantly know matter where he is. Try that with a phone and a son! The phone in my pocket is going the way of paper charts with me. For family, friends, business, all I need is an internet connection. So more and more, I need that connection on me(and in my life here, it's everywhere). That's my barometer(weather).

I don't recall missing the phone in the Bahamas for months at a time, but we were younger then. You just had to plan ahead enough to have cash stuffed away. But for aging parents, the phone is the only way for most.