What Year?
One
evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events. The
grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools,
the computer age, and just things in general.
The
Grandma 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, and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man
hadn't yet walked on the moon.
Your
Grandfather and I got married first-and then lived together. Every family had a
father and a mother. 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.' 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 in this country 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.....and how old do you think I am ???.....
Before what year would you have been born to remember all of this?