2 – If I had the right phone and service, that could be really handy in foreign airports. And that includes U.S. airports I’m not familiar with.

3 – Such technology could certainly be misused, but this particular fuss is a lot of much ado about nothing. For one thing, it doesn’t work if the phones aren’t on; do we really need to be connected 24/7? And as for this comment, “If I turn off my cellphone to avoid being tracked, then I am less safe if anything were to happen to me while shopping” — just what does she think is going to happen to her in a crowded mall that having a cell phone will ameliorate?

6 – “Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly.” — George MacDonald. I’ll agree with you that interdependence is important to community, but I’d say the requirement is more for a good balance between independence and interdependence, a dance. In addition to exhibiting trust, Joseph is (rightly) doing his best to grow in independence: to walk without holding your hand, to eat without being spoon-fed, even to clean the bathroom.

6 – I don’t know if it’s a sign of adulthood (maturity) or not, but skepticism is certainly a sign of experience. Joseph trusts you because you have been sufficiently worthy of his trust. If you’d hugged him and kicked him on alternate days, I’ll bet he’d be pretty skeptical about your touch.