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, clothes dryers, while 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 and
weekends-not purchasing condominiums. 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 - ????
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So I'll keep my mouth shut.
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