First off, I’d like to express thanks for the good fortune of having been born a couple of weeks prior to D-Day. And I’m not alone, as I have listened to various young “whipper-snappers” wishing that they should have been born “back then,” especially from two of the roughest and toughest, our American Marines.
Seriously, as each generation ages, the recurring question of “where did all the time go?” becomes the topic of the day. However, as I alluded to previously, my generation was afforded a normal, everyday peace and order, which had us all playing outside and riding our bikes till dinner time. Just this alone was a huge asset to our personal development and independent nature. Another was our “in-house” moms who “ran the roost.”
Back in the day, parenting was parenting without this need for friendship. Mom was always present, and when Dad came home, he often had to listen to “Do you know what your kids did?” The “roost” mom ran worked with dad adding order from his own brand of enforcement. But through it all, it was always mom that guided us with her loving screams and short quips such as “you are judged by the company you keep.” What nicer way is there to guide the young towards avoiding “the wrong crowd” for their friends?
It just wouldn’t be right not to mention the well-worn rhyme of “sticks and stones may break your bones, but names will never hurt you.” When remembering back, that advice was instrumental in building character, self-assurance, and emotional security. Also, it averted many fist-a-cuffs from name-calling. Quite a change from “back then” till now! Such common-sense solutions seem just another victim of time.
Weekends were time for mingling and hosting friends and family members for dinner and drinks. Each family took turns hosting, with each lady instinctively trying to better the previous meal. Believe me when I say that they enjoyed themselves, but never did anyone get “out of line.” Laughter was their companion rather than today’s thin-skinned, sensitive affairs. I might add that what was important, America, always brought out a shared pride which united rather than today’s outright anger and harsh dismissals.
The grand daddy of mom’s advice was her warning about “an idle mind is a devil’s workshop.” However, as useful as the advice was, it was rarely needed since our genre was more of a “hands-on” breed, which required time. When the television came on board, we even had to get up to change the channel! Mowing the lawn was more physical before today’s zip-zip power mowers! And forget about sweeping up the leaves in the fall. People would now stare since it’s another zip-zip with the air blower!
One last question concerning time is that while many of today’s gadgets are advertised as time savers, just what do we accomplish with these savings? It’s like buying gas at the cheaper-priced gas station; what do we do with the money saved? Nothing in both cases!
For once, I must go on record as agreeing with those two Marines. Seriously though, their insight isn’t “spot on,” it’s “right on.” What the hell does a “spot” have to do with anything? I rest my case with an everlasting thanks for my special time of living.
