We were born before television, before penicillin, before
polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, plastic, contact lenses,
Frisbees and the Pill.We were before
radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ballpoint
pens, before pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric
blankets, air conditioners, drip dry clothes, and before man
walked on the moon.
We got married and then lived together.
How quaint can you be?
In our time, closets were for clothes, not
for "coming out of." Bunnies were small rabbits and
rabbits were not Volkswagons. Designer Jeans were
scheming girls named Jean or Jeanne, and having a meaningful
relationship meant getting along well with our cousins.
We thought fast food was what you ate during
Lent and Outer Space was the back of the Manor or Hazelwood
Theater.
We were before house-husbands, gay rights,
computer dating, dual careers and commuter marriages. We
were before day-care centers, group therapy and nursing homes,
we never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electric typewriters,
VCR's, Internet, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt
and guys wearing earrings. For us, time-sharing meant
togetherness - not computers or condominiums, a "chip" meant a
piece of wood; hardware meant hardware, and software wasn't
even a word.
In 1940, "made in Japan" meant junk and the
term "making out" referred to how you did on your exam.
Pizzas, "McDonalds," and instant coffee were unheard of.
We hit the scene when there were 5 & 10 cent
stores, where you bought things for five and ten cents.
Isaly's sold ice cream cones for a nickel or a dime. For
one nickel, you could ride a street car, make a phone call,
buy a Pepsi or enough stamps to mail one letter and two
postcards. You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, but who
could afford one, a pity too, because gas was 11 cents a
gallon!
In our day, cigarette smoking was
fashionable. Grass was mowed. Coke was a cold
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 before the difference
between the sexes was discovered but we were surely 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!
From "Bridging the Gap" by Charles J.
Miller, D.D.S.
Copied from the TAHS 50th Class Reunion
Booklet |
