One evening, a child was speaking to his grandmother about current events. The grandchild then asked her what she thinks about the current generation's obsession with computers, about violence in schools, and other things the child was curious about.
"Was it very different when you were a child, granny?" He asked.
"Well," answered his grandmother, "my dear child, let me think...
I was born before people had television at home, before frozen food, MRIs, cat scans, contact lenses and birth control pills. When I was a kid there were no credit cards or laser-guided bombs.
We hadn't yet invented the dishwasher and the washing machine. We hung our clothes to dry out in the clean air. We had no microwave so everything hot came from the stove or the oven. The first man hadn't reached the moon yet. Your grandfather and I got married before we moved in together.
Until I was 25, I called every grown-up 'Sir' or 'Ma'am'.
After I was 25, I called every person with a title 'Sir' or 'Ma'am'.
We lived before online dating, before both parents worked and before group therapies. Our life was conducted according to what we thought was moral, our own judgment and good old fashioned logic.
We were taught to know the difference between good and bad as well as taking responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege. Living in this country was even a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate when they were really hungry.
We hardly heard of McDonald's and had no clue about Pizza Hut and Starbucks. Having a meaningful relationship meant you got along great with your cousins. Quality time meant the family would gather together in the evenings and weekends, and not go shopping or to the arcade.
There was no FM radio, no electronic music players, no DVD or MP3. Instead, we listened to the latest singers on the radio. I can't remember a single child suffering hearing loss from listening to Elvis or the Beatles. We didn't run like a herd after teenagers with microphones in their hands.
Alongside the adults, we listened to the speeches of great leaders.
There were 50 cent stores where we could actually BUY things for 50 cents. A cone of ice cream, a phone call, a drive on the bus - were all much cheaper.
"Aids" were the principal's helpers at our school. "Chip" was a piece of wood. "Hardware" was something you'd find at a hardware shop and the word "Software" hadn't been invented yet.
And how long ago do you think all this was, my dear?
Do you know how old granny is?
Granny is only 68 years old..."
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