One evening a son
was talking to his father about current events.
He asked what he thought
about the shootings at schools, the computer
age, and just things
in general.
The dad 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, dishwashers, clothes dryers, (clothes
were hung out to dry
in the fresh air) electric blankets, air
conditioners, and he
hadn't walked on the moon.
Your Mom 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. (I miss that most)
We were before, 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.
Draftdodgers 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 radio. 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
I am only 51 years old.
Author Unknown