The world we live in sure does change fast...
One evening a grandson was talking to his
grandfather
about current events. He asked what he thought about
the shootings at schools, the computer age and just
things in general.
The granddad replied, "Well let me think a minute
---
I was born before television, penicillin, polio
shots,
frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, frisbees and
the
pill. There was no radar, credit cards, laser beams
or
ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, air
conditioners, dishwashers and clothes dryers. The
clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
man
hadn't yet walked on the moon.
Your grandmother and I got married first and THEN
lived together. Every family had a father and a
mother; and every boy over 14 had a rifle that his
dad taught him how to use and respect. And they went
hunting and fishing together.
Until I was 25; I called every man older than I
"Sir"
and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and
every man with a title "Sir." Sundays were set aside
for going to church as a family, helping those in
need
and visiting with family or neighbors.
We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual
careers, daycare centers and group therapy. Our
lives
were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment
and common sense. We were taught to know the
difference between right and wrong and to stand up
and
take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege, living here
was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what
people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful
relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were people who closed their front
doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant
time the family spent together in the evenings. We
never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric
typewriters, yogurt or guys wearing earrings. We
listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny and the
president's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever
remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to
Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with "Made in Japan" on it, it
was
junk. The term "making out" referred to how you did
on
your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant
coffee were unheard of.
We had 5 & 10-cent stores where you could actually
buy
things for 5 and 10 cents. Ice cream cones, phone
calls, rides on a streetcar and a Pepsi were all a
nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could
spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter
and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who
could afford one? Too bad because gas was 11 cents a
gallon. In my day, "grass" was mowed, "coke" was a
cold drink, "pot" was something your mother cooked
in
and "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
"Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office,
"chip"
meant a piece of wood, "hardware" was found in a
hardware store and "software" wasn't even a word.
And
we were the last generation to actually believe that
a
lady needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say
there is a generation gap! How old do you think I
am????
This man would only have to be 59 years old!
e-mail me
with your suggestions
