One evening a boy 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 weren’t things like jet planes, credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, and a man on the moon was just an impossible dream.
“Your grandma and I got married first—then we 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. 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.’
“In our time, closets were for clothes—not for ‘coming out of.’ Sundays were set aside for going to church as a family, helping those in need, and just 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 our 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. It meant face-to-face conversations—not text-messaging each other on some electronic device.
“Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant the family spent time together in the evenings and weekends—not condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, DVD’s, CD’s, computers, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. Only sailors got tattoos.
We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, the Lone Ranger, and the President’s speeches on the radio. 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, Wal-Mart and instant coffee were unheard of. There were no interstate highways. 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 one letter and two postcards. You could buy a Chevy Coupe for $600, but who could afford one? Too bad, because gasoline was eleven 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 grandma’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 that was so dumb as to think a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us old and confused and say there is a generation gap. And I’m only 70 years old!” (Anonymous)
I think whatever direction the world takes, if we, as individuals, maintain our moral compass, we will be alright. That’s the way it has always been.
(Comments? mustardseeds101@yahoo.com)
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