Recently, I was reading someone else’s blog and they mentioned a memory from their past. It triggered something for me and I started thinking of my lifetime and how much in the world has changed. The little things. The things that seemed so normal and some things that felt so right at the time. And some are things I wish hadn’t changed.
I remember when dialing a phone meant using a dial…no push buttons or touch screens (there WERE no cell phones).
I remember when televisions were black & white and there were only 3 channels.
I remember when the dishwasher was me (and I remember when my parents finally bought a dishwasher).
I remember when I bought my first calculator…an HP scientific calculator that came in a carrying case and was almost the same size as a brick and I was excited that I didn’t have to use a slide rule!
I remember pay phones on almost every corner – and there were no Starbucks.
I remember when there was no internet.
I remember a time when parents didn’t have to check all the candy collected by their children on Halloween for razor blades and other dangers.
I remember when riding on a plane meant dressing up in your best clothes.
I remember when stamps had to be licked to stick.
I remember when checks had 19 printed in front of the blank for the year…and we didn’t realize it would need to change for 2000….it was too far into the future.
I remember when there was no such thing as a debit card. We carried cash…or maybe a checkbook.
I remember when pumping gas was done by the gas station attendant. And he checked your oil and washed the windows, too.
I remember when clogs, bell bottom jeans and low-rise jeans were in…the first time.
I remember when the Kansas City Royals was a WINNING team…big-time winning, that is. The days of Paul Splittorf, George Brett, Darrell Porter, Pete LaCock, John Mayberry, Freddie Patek, Cookie Rojas, Frank White and Hal McRae (went to lots of games in 76 and 77) and later when they actually won the world series in 85 with players like Bret Saberhagen and Dan Quisenberry. Awesome!!
I remember when saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day was expected, not an affront to anyone. Being a military dependent, I LOVED saying the pledge of allegiance. It meant something to me.
I remember when it was safe for children to play in the streets or in their yard, ride their bikes all over town and there was no fear of being kidnapped or stolen.
I remember when kids were kids…they played after school and their days were not filled with so many lessons and activities that they had no time just to be carefree children.
I remember when terrorism happened somewhere else…not the U.S. And it was safe to be an American.
“Take time to gather up the past so that you will be able to draw from your experience and invest them in the future.” ~ Jim Rohn
Those are a lot of good memories, and I remember ’em all.
Miss your blog!