Discussing subliminal learning with a student, I gave the example of Reese's Pieces. There was no overt advertising, but nonetheless, the Hershey Company's profits rose 6
5% due to the prominent use of Reese's Pieces in the movie "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."
"E.T. phone home!" came to mind and with that an incident that happened some time ago.
Our phone rang at 4:00am. Although some people (B"H, very few) do call at that inopportune time, the caller ID showed that it was someone who never does, a member of a family we know from California. In spite of anticipating disturbing news all I heard was breathing and noises in the background. Not knowing what to make of the call, I called the parents of the young man. They told me he had gone out with fiernds earlier that evening and should be in bed asleep. They went to check his room, but he wasn't there. They called and woke up the friend who said that he left their son at another friend's apartment and he should have been home hours ago. Panic now set in and the cross country calls started.
A missing persons report was entered by the police department even though 24 hours had not past because of the strange phone call. The boy's face book page was checked to see if the parents could figure out with whom he was or where he last touched down.
"E.T. phone home."
All to no avail. Fearing the worst, the minutes stretched to hours and the hours seemed endless. Where could he be? If only he would call and say he is safe. "E.T. phone home."
As this was taking place, I remembered a similar incident with one of our children. I had dropped the child off at the entrance to the airport and went to park the car. When I arrived at the gate in the terminal I was told that the flight was cancelled due to inclement weather. And then the fun began. I scoured the airport and could find no trace of my precious one. A policeman said he had not seen any unaccompanied minors, and having taken place before cellphones were common, there was no one to call. "E.T. phone home."
The next hours were harrowing calling hospitals, asking the airport personnel if they had seen any strange looking people, fearing a kidnapping. Finally, after four hours of torture, the phone rings, "Hello, we arrived and were driving around the city for a while. They sent us to another airline and promised that they would call and tell you right away." The sigh of relief and thanks to HaShem were probably heard even without the phone connection. "E.T. phoned home."
And so it was that morning. The boy had gone to the friend's apartment, fallen asleep on top of his cellphone which accidentally called my number. The heavy breathing b"H was not that of fear but nothing other than the sweet sounds of restful sleep.
"E.T. phone home" is the message that parents want to get across to their children. If only the child had called, the parents would have been spared hours of agony. Parents care so much for their child, and only want to hear from
them
. Just contact us and let us know that you arrived; tell us that you are staying out late; tell us that you are going to a friend; tell us even though you are married with your own children that you won't be home for a few days. "E.T. phone home."
And what about our Father in Heaven? Doesn't He call out to us also every day, "E.T. phone home."
E. T., erlicher, tyere kinder - dear, fine children call Me, HaSHem calls us. Call Me every day; call and say thanks for the food I give you, call Me in the morning and thank Me for waking up, and maybe call Me even if you don't have a particular request or need.
Just call and say hello.
Best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom and a Chodesh Tov.
Rabbi Eliezer Langer