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 were no credit cards, laser beams or ballpoint 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
had yet to walk 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,
day-care centers, and group therapy. The Ten Commandments, good
judgment, and common sense governed our lives
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 one letter and two 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 grandma is???
Pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
Grandma is only 58
(born 1946)
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 were no credit cards, laser beams or ballpoint 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
had yet to walk 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,
day-care centers, and group therapy. The Ten Commandments, good
judgment, and common sense governed our lives
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 one letter and two 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 grandma is???
Pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.
Grandma is only 58
(born 1946)
