One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current
events.
The grandson asked his grandfather 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, and 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.
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 ???.....Read on to see
- - - pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
This man would be about 70 years old! Carolyn (Weidig) Rosengard
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