I’m feeling somewhat melancholy right now. Another of my classmates died the other day. And, if you say, at your age not a big surprise. And yet…
We were babies of the WWII vintage. This was an entirely different time and yes, that can be said of each generation, but it was really true for us. Our fathers went off to war and missed some of our ‘growing up’. Mothers had to do more than take care of the family, they became co-breadwinners. Then, families looked out for all the children not just their own. And yet, it was a wonderful time to grow up because we got to be kids. Children today don’t have that luxury.
I came from a small midwestern town where everybody knew everything about everyone. We started our school day saying the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer. No child was forced to say a prayer… but all did because God was still allowed in education. School class sizes were small because there still were one room school houses for the farmer’s children (until junior high – same as today’s middle school). With a smaller class size everyone was part of the ‘group’ – no one was excluded. Oh yes, by high school there were sub mini groups but still we all saw ourselves as one group. This got translated into everyone participated in everything – plays, sports, band, etc.
Nope, no TV until high school (no access, we were in a valley) so I grew up on books. We did stay outside playing till dark but never one minute more. If we got in trouble at school… we got in trouble at home. There never were any school events on Wednesday night because that was church night even if your church didn’t have a Wednesday night service. Monday nights were reserved for church youth groups. School events were on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – never on a weekend (except for Graduation).
A simpler time? Of course. Bring it back? No way to, besides I’d miss my techie toys. But the attitudes, actions – yes.
All that got me to thinking about how we remember. Are you an all things or only good things or only bad things remember-er? It does say a great deal about the kind of person you are. No value judgments. A hint though… good remembering is a warm fuzzy. Bad remembering is cold. All remembering is more rounded. But those memories, those times helped form who you are today.
Celebrate you… even if you are the only one who hears the music and dances.
