CHANGES THE LAST GENERATION WITNESSED

CONSIDER THE CHANGES WE HAVE WITNESSED: We were born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, zeros, plastic contact lenses, Frisbees, and "the pill." We were born before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ball-point pens, before panty hose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip dry clothes and before man walked on the moon. We got married first and then lived together. How quaint can you be? In our time, closets were for clothes not for coming out of. Rabbits were not Volkswagons, and having a meaningful relationship meant get along well with your cousins. We thought fast food was what you ate during Lent, and outer space was the back of the theatre.

We were born before house husbands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers, and computer messages. We were born before day care centers, group therapy and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electric typewriters, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt and guys wearing earrings. For us, time-sharing meant togethereness not computers or condominiums, a chip meant a piece of wood, hardware meant hardware, and software wasn't even a word! Pizzas, McDonald's and instant coffee were unheard of.

We hit the scene when there were 5 and 10 cent stores, where you bought things for five and ten cents. For one nickel you could ride a street car (trolley) make a plane call, buy a Pepsi, or enough stamps to mail one letter or two postcards. You could buy a new Chewy Coupe for $600, but who could afford one; a pity, too, because gas was 11 cents a gallon! ln our day, cigarette smoking was fashionable, grass was mowed, coke was a drink and pot was something you cooked in. Rock music was a grandma's lullaby and AIDS were helpers in the principal's office. We were certainly not born before the difference between sexes was discovered, but we were surely born before the sex change, we made do with what we had, and we were the last generation that was so dumb as to think you needed a husband to have a baby! No wonder we are so confused and there is such a generation gap today!

For all those born before 1945 - we are survivors!!!

--Author unknown


Back to Index