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Senior Citizen
One evening a boy was talking to his grandfather about current
events. He
asked him what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer
age,
and just things in general. His Granddad replied. Well, let me
think a
minute.
I was born before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact
lenses, Frisbees and the pill.
There weren't things like credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens.
Man had not invented pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric
blankets, and he hadn't walked on the moon.
Your grandma and I got married first -- 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.
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 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 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.
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 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, The Lone Ranger, Gun
Smoke, Big
John & Sparky, Don McNeil's Breakfast Party, and the President's
speeches on
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, 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 Coke 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 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 such a
generation
gap.
And i'm only 55 years old.
me, it's the only way
to appreciate life. |
