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MountainWings - The Daily Inspirational E-Mail
#1199 Wings Over The Mountains of Life
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An Old Man
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One evening a boy was talking to his 
grandfather about current events. 

He asked him what he thought about the shootings at schools, 
the computer age, and just things in general. 

His Granddad 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 weren't things like radar, credit cards, laser beams 
or ball-point pens. 

Man had not invented pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, 
electric blankets, air conditioners, 
and he hadn't walked on the moon. 

Your grandma and I got married first -- then lived together. 

Every family had a father and a mother, 
and every boy over 14 had a rifle that his dad 
taught him how to use and respect. 

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.' 

In our time, closets were for clothes - not for 'coming out of.' 

Sundays were set aside for going to church as a family, 
helping those in need, and just visiting with family or 
neighbors. 

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 here 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 condominiums. 

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric 
typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. 

We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, 
and the President's speeches on radio. 

I don't ever remember any kid blowing his 
brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. 

If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' 
on it, it was junk. 

The term 'making out' referred to 
how you did on your school exam. 

Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. 

5 and 10-cent stores were 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. 

And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your 
nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 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 grandma'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 that was so dumb 
as to think a lady needed a husband to have a baby. 

No wonder people call us old and confused and 
say there is such a generation gap. 

And I'm only 52 years old."


Granddaddy Unknown

Youth don't get offended, there is much in today's world that 
granddaddy would have no idea about.

Thank you for inviting MountainWings in your mailbox. 
See you tomorrow.
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