I know it's a bit long, but it's pretty good.

[Guest guest]

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 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 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,

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 five & dime 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 this grandmother is?

 

She is only 58 years old.