BACK THEN

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I don't want to say that I don't like now,
but sometimes I like reminiscing about then.

Remember The Monkees?
I thought they were cool.
I also liked The Mamas and the Papas,
Bobby Sherman, Paul Revere and the Raiders,
and all those teen idols!
Hey, I admit it!
They made music you could really dance to!

But, let's not forget all the serious music by
Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and The Doors!

Remember bell bottoms?
Remember suede fringed vests?
And wire-rimmed glasses were the ONLY glasses to wear!
Oh, yeah...and don't trust anyone over 30!

Back then, peace and love were very popular.

We really meant it.
War was too much a part of the evening news
for us NOT to mean it.

Back then, real men wore their hair long.
And real men believed in Flower Power.

Real women were learning about liberation.
And all the real people were preaching civil rights.

But, things change.
Wars end (leaving no one victorious)
and new ones develop.
Important individuals are lost to violence and hatred.
Hope is momentarily tarnished. Children grow up.
Times change.

Those were very important times,
but now we have the beauty of today.
I cherish the present because in every moment
I have the opportunity to share life's gifts with others.

Even so, sometimes, I can't help but notice the contrast.
These times are very different.
And, though some of my values have evolved with the times,
others have not changed much at all.
Like: I still listen to my Monkees records on the weekends,

I still like suede vests,
I'm still a sucker for a long-haired guy,

and I still believe in peace and love
even more than ever.

Hey, some things are destined to change
but, if we choose to,
we can hold on to some of the most important things.
As far as I'm concerned,
peace and love never go out of style.

And that is what I wish for you...

...Peace and Love... Today and always.