Some of you may have seen this before...but I still find it fascinating...every time I read it!!
To my grandchildren --How old is Grandma?
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 Grandmother 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
' ball-point pens
Man had not yet 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.
Most families had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "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.
Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends -not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CD's, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to Big Bands 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
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 5 cents
And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your 5 cents on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600, but who could afford one?
Too bad, because petrol was 4 cents a litre
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.
How old do you think I am?
I bet you have this old lady in mind. You are in for a shock!
This woman would be only 61 years old.
**Disclaimer...now...I am not that old yet, but it is pretty amazing how much has changed, isn't it? It gives us all something to think about!
8 comments:
I grew up without cell phones... today I can't imagine what I have done without my phone...that's crazy :o) LOL
It is amazing how much has changed, just in the past 50 years alone!
Im 60 and alot of that was true. We got our first color TV when I was about 10 yrs old
Hmmmm, for some strange reason, this all rings a very familiar bell with our Mom:)
Woos - Ciara and Lightning
We always have that thought
Lily & Edward
I was thinking the same thing. I'm not quite that old yet but it's unbelievable all the things that have changed in our lifetime already.
This was fun to read, and certainly is food for thought! I can remember a few of these things too, and can remember buying a soda and a candy bar for a quarter -- How does that date me? :-)
When was this woman 61? I'm 68 and I was not born before penicillian. Penicillian was discovered, I belive, in 1927. They had it during World War 2. It was reserved for our fighting men. Television was also developed during the 30's. Germany had some tv shows for propaganda as did Great Britain. Neither is these two discoveries were really around before the late 40's. We had our first tv in 1955.
I remember when everyone lined up to get the polio vaccine.
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