How old
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 Grandma 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 invented pantyhose, air
conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers and the
clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air. Man had
yet to walk on the moon.
Your Grandfather and I got married first and then
lived together. Every family had a father and a
mother. 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". 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.
Serving your country was a privilege; living in this
country 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.
We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny and the
President's speeches on our radios and I don't ever
remember any kid blowing his brains out listening
toTommy Dorsey. 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 store 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. If you didn't want to splurge, you could spend
your nickel on enough stamps to mail one letter and
two 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 how old do you think I am
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grandma is 58
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