Subject: Man do I feel old!!!

>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.
>
>
>   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 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 55 years old